This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.

Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation. 

9 May 2002: US IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON ARMENIAN ENTITIES
On 9 May 2002, the United States imposed sanctions on the Armenian firm Lizen Open Joint Stock Co. and its owner, Armen Sargsian, for transferring to Iran WMD technology controlled by international export controls. The sanctions prohibit US government procurement from and assistance to the entities as well as purchase by the entities of any item on the US Munitions List or receipt of a license for items controlled under US export regulations and the Export Administration Act of 1979.[1] Lizen chemical plant in Charentsavan, north of Yerevan, for years manufactured a biochemical substance that can be used to produce proteins that increase resistance to nuclear radiation. According to a source quoted in RFE/RL Newsline, the company's equipment was dismantled and sold to Iran in 2001, which could not have been done without the government's knowledge.  Plant owner Armen Sargsian, is the brother of former Armenian Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian.[2]
Sources:
[1] "Iran I: U.S. Publishes List of Sanctioned Entities," Global Security Newswire, 16 May 2002, Nuclear Threat Initiative Website, http://www.nti.org.
[2] "U.S. Names Armenian Company Suspected of Illicit Technology Transfer to Iran," RFE/RL Newsline, 17 May 2002. {Entered 17 August 2002 YP}

6 May 2001:  SPECIALISTS FROM METSAMOR READY TO WORK IN IRAN
At a 6 May 2001 meeting between Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Mokhammad Koleini and Metsamor General Director Suren Azatyan, the latter indicated that enlisting specialists from Metsamor to work at Iran's nuclear power plants would facilitate the integration of the region's energy system.  He said that Metsamor workers are indeed prepared to work at Iranian facilities, especially during periods when the Armenian plant is idle.
Source:
"V nastoyashcheye vremya sushchestvuyet potrebnost stroitelstva vtoroy linii elektroperedach, svyazyvayushchey energokompleksy Armenii i Irana," Finmarket, 6 May 2001; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.com. {Entered 28 May 2001 KB} 
 
26 July 2000: Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy
This article discusses the signing of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Republic Armenia in regards to the peaceful use of atomic energy. The article in written in Russian. www.nti.org/e_research/profiles_pdfs/Armenia/Peacful%20energy.pdf

25 July 2000:  ARMENIA AND US SIGN NONPROLIFERATION AGREEMENT
On 25 July 2000 Armenian Minister of Defense Serzh Sarkisyan and US Secretary of Defense William Cohen signed a cooperative agreement on the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.  According to the terms of the agreement, the United States will allocate $300,000 to Armenia for training and equipment.
Source:
"Armeniya i SShA podpisali v Vashingtone soglasheniye o sotrudnichestve v protivodeystvii rasprostraneniyu oruzhiya massovogo unichtozheniya," Interfax, 25 July 2000.
 
2 March 1999:  ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SIGNS LAW ON USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
On 2 March 1999, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan signed the Law on the Use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes, passed by the Armenian National Assembly on 1 February 1999.[1] This new law outlines the procedures for export, import, and storage of nuclear and radioactive materials and radioactive waste.  It requires licenses for organizations dealing with nuclear energy, forbids the import of radioactive waste, and prohibits the export of nuclear and radioactive materials, radioactive waste, nuclear equipment, and nuclear technology to countries that have not signed the appropriate international agreements.  The law provides for radioactive waste disposal in special facilities, and according to Ashot Martirosyan, head of the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (Armgosatomnadzor), the law might form the legal basis for a nuclear code in the future.[2] 
Sources:
[1] Snark, 3 March 1999; in "Kocharyan Signs Law on Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy," FBIS Document FTS19990303001731.
[2] Interfax, 1 February 1999; in “Parliament Passes Law on Use of Nuclear Energy,” FBIS Document FTS19990201001137. 
 
31 July 1997: U.S.-ARMENIAN DIALOGUE ON EXPORT CONTROL TAKES PLACE IN YEREVAN
Armenian Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Arsen Gasparyan announced that the United States and Armenia are implementing a security and aid program that includes export and licensing controls and is aimed at preventing smuggling and the spread of nuclear and chemical materials for weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Representatives from the US State Department, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, and the US Departments of Defense, Commerce, and Energy participated in this dialogue in order to increase bilateral and multilateral levels of cooperation.  Areas of cooperation include European security within the framework of the Partnership for Peace program and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, European integration (within the OSCE), and arms control and disarmament. The dialogue focuses on creating an effective system of control over WMD, the technologies for producing them, and export of these technologies. The United States has already given Armgosatomnadzor around $7.5 million in aid to enhance security and reliability at the Metsamor nuclear power plant, improve the nuclear energy control system, and develop a management system.
Source:
Noyan Topan, 31 July 1997; in "Official Says Security Cooperation With U.S. Flourishing," FBIS-SOV-97-213, 1 August 1997. {entered 11 August 1997 djw} 
 
February 1997: ARMENIAN-BRITISH PROJECT TO IMPROVE CUSTOMS
Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan met in Armenia with representatives of the British firm Inchcape Testing Services. Inchcape will conclude an agreement with the Armenian government to implement a project to improve customs control in Armenia. The new customs system is intended to bring Armenia into conformity with international standards.
Source:
"Armenia to Improve Customs Control," Noyan Topan, 10 February 1997. {entered 19 February 1997 djw} {Cleared 14 March 1997 JWRL} 
 
December 1994: CUSTOMS DUTIES ON METSAMOR EQUIPMENT REMOVED
The Armenian Council of Ministers decided to remove customs duties on imports of equipment to be used at the Metsamor nuclear power plant.
Source:
Soviet Designed Nuclear Power Plants In Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Armenia, The Czech Republic, The Slovak Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria, 4th edition, Nuclear Energy Institute, Washington D.C., 1996, p. 203.] 
 
June 1993: RUSSIA PLEDGES TO ASSIST REPUBLICS TO SET UP EXPORT CONTROLS
Delegations from Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan gathered to develop a joint system for monitoring exports of dual-use technology. Russia drew up national lists of restrictions to assist the republics in establishing their individual export control systems.
Source:
Russian Television Network, 3 June 1993; in "Conference Views Dual-Purpose Technologies, Restrictions," FBIS-SOV-93-106, 4 June 1993, p. 6.
 
May 1993: DECREE ON RAW MATERIAL CONTROL FOR WMD SIGNED
Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan signed a decree on the control of raw material, equipment, technology, or services which can be used for weapons of mass destruction. The decree also creates the Commission on Export Control which will work to "fulfill international obligations" on nonproliferation. The Commission will be headed by the Armenian vice-premier; other members are the head of the Department of National Security and the head of the Military and Industrial Commission.
Source:
Snark, 4 May 1993; in "Commission to Oversee Control of Nuclear, Other Weapons," JPRS-TND-93-013, 10 May 1993, pp. 10-11.
 
9 February 1993: ARMENIA TO COOPERATE IN EXPORT CONTROLS
Armenia reached an agreement with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to cooperate in the control of exports of raw materials, equipment, technology, and services which could be used for making weapons of mass destruction.
Source:
"Six CIS States Join Forces to Enforce Export Control," ITAR-TASS, 9 February 1993. See also FBIS-SOV-93-026, 10 February 1993.