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Updated July 2007
Export Control Developments in Belarus
Click here to read an archived report on the export control system of Belarus.
10 August 2005: BELARUS CUSTOMS OFFICIALS SENTENCED FOR TAKING BRIBES
On 10 August 2005, N. Korenik, the former deputy chief of Oshmyan customs, was found guilty of taking bribes and sentenced to seven years in jail by the Smorgon district court [Hrodna Region] in Belarus. In December 2004, Korenik solicited and received a US$9,500 bribe from a businessperson to recover a confiscated shipment seized at the Kammeny Loh checkpoint on the Lithuanian border. No details regarding the contents of the shipment were given.
In addition to the seven-year sentence, the court ordered the seizure of Korenik's property and barred him from managerial positions and entrepreneurial activities for five years.[1,2]
Korenik's is the latest in a string of criminal cases involving Belarusian customs officials. In July 2005, Sergey Dmitriyev, the former head of the Customs Control Directorate at the Belarusian State Customs Committee, and 15 other individuals were sentenced to various jail terms for crimes, including abuse of power, bribe taking, nonpayment of customs fees, and fraud. Dmitriyev and the others, including officials from the Minsk regional customs office, formed a criminal group that, from June 2001 to 2003, bilked the government of about 2.6 billion Belarusian rubles (about US$1.2 million) by illegally importing various goods such as paper, leather goods, coffee, and chocolate. Earlier this year, in January 2005, nearly 40 customs and border officials from the Smorgon border guard unit and 26 customs officials from the Zapadnyy Bug customs office were under investigation for wrongdoing.[3,4]
Sources:
[1] "Belarus Customs Official Gets Seven Years in Jail for Bribery," Belapanonline newspaper, 10 August 2005; in FBIS Document CEP20050810027111.
[2] Oleg Litskevich, "Na tamozhne stanut brat menshe" [They will be taking less at customs], Minskky kuryer online edition, No. 696, 12 August 2005, <http://www.mk.by/archiv
/12.08.2005/rub5.php>.
[3] Roman Rud, "Granitsa bez kriminala" [A border without criminals], Sovetskaya Belorussiya online edition, No. 16 (22173), 27 January 2005, <http://www.sb.by/
article.php?articleID=41489>.
[4] Sergey Satsuk, "Tamozhennika izolirovali na 13 let" [Customs official put away for 13 years], Belorusskaya delovaya gazeta, 15 July 2005; in Belapan online newspaper, <http://naviny.by/ru/content/rubriki/2-ya_gruppa/kriminal/15-07-05-1/>.
This item originally appeared in International Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/
pubs/observer/index.htm>. {Entered 10 May 2006 SR}
25 May 2005: BELARUS DESTROYS MANPADS IN COOPERATION WITH OSCE
The Belarusian military has destroyed the first 14 of 29 shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles (known as man-portable air defense systems, or MANPADS) slated for destruction within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), which was adopted on 24 November 2000. The objective of the SALW Document is to prevent the illegal trafficking of SALW by introducing and enforcing national control measures, promoting cooperation, and exchanging information between law enforcement and customs agencies at the international, regional, and national levels. International observers from Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom visited an artillery range located 100 kilometers (km) from Minsk on 25 May 2005, to see the Strela-2M systems destroyed.[1,2]
In October 2003, Belarus became the first OSCE member state to request assistance for the destruction of SALW, including MANPADS, and for improving SALW stockpile security and management. The destruction of Belarusian MANPADS follows the 24 February 2005, bilateral agreement between Russia and the United States calling for increased cooperation on the control of MANPADS, which could be used by criminals, terrorists, and non-state actors to threaten global aviation.[1,2]
For more information on efforts to stop the spread of MANPADS within the former Soviet Union and globally, see "NIS Regional Organizations and Export Control in 2003," NIS Export Control Observer, No. 12, December 2003/January 2004, pp. 8-10, and "United States and Russia Sign Agreement on MANPADS," NIS Export Control Observer, No. 25, March 2005, pp. 4-5.
Sources:
[1] "Belarus destroys shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles in co-operation with OSCE," OSCE press release, 25 May 2005, OSCE website, <http://www.osce.org>.
[2] "OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW Document)," Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus website, <http://www.mod.mil.by/iso_eng.html>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs
/nisexcon/index.htm>.
11 January 2005: BELARUS ISSUES NATIONAL REPORT ON EXPORT CONTROL
On 11 January 2005, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus released the National Report of the Republic of Belarus On the Export Control Policy,[and] Exports of Weapons and Military Equipment in 2003-2004.[1] The comprehensive report describes in detail the national system of export control, including a review of Belarusian export control legislation, state policy, and decisionmaking processes related to military-technical cooperation, export control, and nonproliferation. It also specifies the responsibilities of the Interagency Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Controls and the State Defense Industry Committee, lists specific goods and services subject to export control, describes licensing procedures, and contains licensing forms for military and dual-use items. Separate chapters describe the procedures for exports and imports of chemicals controlled under the Chemical Weapons Convention and for transit of controlled items, as well as export control enforcement with reference to particular articles of the Criminal Code.[2] Editor's Note: The report (in Russian) can be found online at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Website.
The chapter on international cooperation in export control describes the implementation by Belarus of the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Convention); activities in export controls and disposition of light weapons and small arms; and measures implemented in the framework of the UN Register of Conventional Weapons. According to the report, Belarus included several dozen man-portable air defense systems and grenade launchers in its list of weapons to be destroyed. The document also declares the need for foreign assistance in implementing Minsk's commitment to destroy four million antipersonnel mines in four years. To illustrate Belarusian adherence to international agreements, the report states that the country destroyed 584 intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles under the 1988 U.S.-Soviet treaty on the elimination of such missiles as well as 1,773 battle tanks; 1,341 armored combat vehicles; and 130 combat aircraft under the 1990 Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces (CFE Treaty) in Europe. The report claims that under the CFE Treaty, Belarus destroyed three times as many weapons as did France, the United Kingdom, and the United States combined.[2]
This report is the third on Belarusian export control policy and arms exports. Belarus prepared similar annual reports for 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. Of CIS countries, Belarus is the first and only one to make the publication of such reports a regular event. It should be noted that, unlike the 2002-2003 report, the current report does not specify exported weapon types, quantities, and recipients. However, the Belarusian media provided such data from a separate report submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus to the UN Register of Conventional Weapons regarding Belarusian arms exports in 2003. Media reports noted that the 2004 data are not yet available. According to the report, Belarusian arms exports in 2003 went to five countries: Algeria, Iran, the Ivory Coast, Sudan, and Sweden. The main export items were tanks, armored personnel carriers, reconnaissance vehicles, multiple launch rocket systems, and other artillery systems.[3]
At a press conference in Minsk, Vyacheslau Sheyda, head of the marketing and advertising department of the leading Belarusian arms exporter Beltekheksport, announced that Belarus ranked among the top 20 arms exporting countries in 2004.[3] According to Belarusian independent military analyst Alyaksandr Alesin, five years ago Belarus was among the top 10 arms exporters, and now, after the arms stocks remaining from Soviet times have been exhausted, the country has had to change its military export structure: The decline in exports of conventional weaponry was compensated by increasing exports of military electronics, such as laser and optical targeting systems and microchips for air defense systems. Alesin claimed that Belarus could be included in the top 10 exporters if the cost of this sophisticated equipment were taken into account. Besides, according to Alesin, exports of dual-use items, which have military applications and are not usually included in such reports, should be taken into consideration.[4]
Sources:
[1] Vyacheslav Budkevich, "MID obnarodoval otchet o politike eksportnogo kontrolya, eksporta vooruzheniy i voyennoy tekhniki" [MFA made public a report on the policy of export control, exports of weapons and military equipment], Belapan news agency; in Belorusskaya delovaya gazeta online edition, 12 January 2005, <http://bdg.by/news/news.htm?66688>.
[2] National Report of the Republic of Belarus On Export Control Policy, Exports of Weapons and Military Equipment in 2003-2004 (in Russian), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus website, <http://www.mfa.gov.by/rus/economic/
econtrol/exp_report_03-04/expcontrol_03-04.pdf>.
[3] "V 2003 godu Belarus eksportirovala vooruzheniye i voyennuyu tekhniku v Sudan, Kot-D'Ivuar i Shvetsiyu" [In 2003, Belarus exported weapons and military equipment to Sudan, Ivory Coast, and Sweden], Belarusian Telegraph Agency BELTA, 12 January 2004, in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[4] Valer Kalinouski, "Belarus Remains In Top Twenty Of Arms Exporters," Radio Svaboda [Radio Liberty], in Charter97 website, <http://www.charter97.org/eng/
news/2005/01/13/arms>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/
nisexcon/index.htm>.
20 November 2004: BELARUS ISSUES REPORT ON EXPORT CONTROL AND WEAPONS SALES
On 20 November 2003, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus released the National Report of the Republic of Belarus On the Policy of Export Control, and Exports of Weapons and Military Equipment in 2002-2003. The comprehensive report contains a review of Belarusian legislation, state policy, and the decision-making process in the spheres of military-technical cooperation, export control, and nonproliferation, as well as a description of licensing procedures.[1,2,3] The report also describes reforms in the sphere of military and technical cooperation that began with the 11 March 2003 Presidential Edict No. 94 On Measures Regulating Military and Technical Cooperation of the Republic of Belarus with Foreign States.[3,4] The report's appendices include license forms, information on the stockpile of anti-personnel mines and quantities of mines destroyed in 1997-2002, Belarusian reports to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on exports and imports of light weapons and small arms in 2001-2002, as well as data from the reports submitted to the UN Register of Conventional Weapons on the transfers of conventional weapons in 1992-2002, which specify the exported weapons types, quantities, and recipients.[3]
This report is the second one on Belarusian export control policy and arms exports. In 2002, Belarus prepared a similar annual report for 2001-2002. Of CIS countries, Belarus is the first and only one to make the publication of such reports a regular event.[3,4,5,6] This exercise in transparency appears to be an attempt to alleviate international, and especially U.S., concerns that Belarus supplied arms to countries under UN arms embargo, including Iraq. Presenting the report, Vasil Paulau, head of the export control and nonproliferation section of the Department for International Security and Arms Control at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Belarusian arms exports in 2002 went mainly to four countries: Algeria, Iran, the Ivory Coast, and Sudan. The main export items were tanks, armored personnel carriers, and artillery systems. According to Paulau, the report confirms that Belarusian weapons sales are in strict compliance with international norms. He denied allegations that Belarus exported arms to Iraq before the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003.[1,2,5]
Sources:
[1] Andrey Fomin, "Belorussiya raskryvayet dannyye ob eksporte svoyego vooruzheniya" [Belarus reveals information on its arms exports], ITAR-TASS, 20 November 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[2] Oleg Litskevich, "Osnovnymi poluchatelyami belorusskogo vooruzheniya v 2002 godu stali Iran, Sudan i Alzhir – MID" [MFA: Iran, Sudan, and Algeria were the main recipients of Belarusian weapons in 2002], Belarusian Telegraph Agency BELTA, 20 November 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[3] Maksim Pyadushkin, "Otchet Belarusi ob eksporte vooruzheniy v 2002-2003 godakh" [Belarusian report on arms export in 2002-2003], Eksport vooruzheniy, No. 6, 17 December 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[4] For details, see: "Lukashenko Signs Edict on Foreign Military Cooperation," NIS Export Control Observer, No.4, April 2003, p. 5, <http://cns.miis.edu/nis-excon>.
[5] Dmitriy Zayats, "Podschitan kazhdyy patron" [Every round is accounted for], Sovetskaya Belarus (Minsk), 3 December 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[6] Both reports can be found online at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, <http://www.mfa.gov.by/rus/
index.php?id=1&d=economic/econtrol>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/
nisexcon/index.htm>.
20 October 2004: BELARUS RATIFIES EURASEC EXPORT CONTROL AGREEMENT
On 20 October 2004, Belarus became the first Eurasian Economic Community (EURASEC) member country to ratify the Agreement on a Common Order of Export Control by EURASEC Member States, when the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus formally approved the agreement. The accord had been signed on 28 October 2003, in Moscow by the five EURASEC member countries—Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.[1,2]
According to the agreement's terms, it aims to create conditions conducive to the effective functioning of a common economic and customs space; support the development of balanced, mutually beneficial trade and scientific-technical ties among EURASEC member states; strengthen the nonproliferation regime; and guarantee the defense of national interests and security of member states. According to the agreement, EURASEC members will establish common standardized export control norms, rules, and regulations covering raw materials, goods, equipment, technology, and services that can be used in the production of WMD and other types of military equipment and weapons, and means of WMD delivery.[3]
Article 21 of the agreement states that it will enter into force after the ratification instruments of all five member countries are submitted to the EURASEC Integration Committee.[4] In Kyrgyzstan, the agreement has been submitted to the Zhogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyz parliament), and is expected to be ratified by the end of 2004.[5] As for the three other EURASEC member countries, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, there is no publicly available information on when the agreement will be ratified.
Editor's Note: The agreement on the establishment of the EURASEC, based on the CIS Customs Union, was signed in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 10 October 2000. At present, EURASEC member states include Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine have observer status in this organization.[3]
Sources:
[1] "20 oktyabrya 2004 goda na plenarnom zasedanii devyatoy sessii Palaty predstaviteley Natsionalnogo sobraniya Respubliki Belarus vtorogo sozyva rassmotreny 9 zakonoproyektov, inyye voprosy" [On 20 October 2004, nine draft laws and other issues were discussed at the plenary of the ninth session of the second House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus], House of Representatives of Belarus website, <http://house.gov.by/index.php/>.
[2] Viktor Aleshkevich, "Poka v prezhnem sostave" [Outgoing deputies continue their work), Vecherniy Minsk, 21 October 2004; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[3] For more information on EURASEC and the agreement, see: "Eurasian Economic Community (EURASEC) Discusses Export Control Issues; Additional Regional Grouping Launched," NIS Export Control Observer, No. 4, April 2003, pp. 4-5; "EURASEC Member Countries Harmonize Export Control Procedures," NIS Export Control Observer, No. 8, August 2003, p. 2; "Inter-State Cooperation in the NIS," NIS Export Control Observer, No. 9, September 2003, pp. 18-22; "Prime Ministers of EURASEC Member States Sign Agreement on Export Control," NIS Export Control Observer, No. 11, November 2003, p. 2-3; "NIS Regional Organizations and Export Control in 2003," NIS Export Control Observer, No. 12, December 2003/January 2004, pp. 8-10, CNS website, <http://cns.miis.edu/nis-excon>.
[4] Official text of the Agreement on a Common Order of Export Control by EURASEC Member States provided to CNS by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
[5] CNS communication with Bolot Kulmatov, Kyrgyz MFA official, 17 November 2004.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/
pubs/nisexcon/index.htm>.
September 2004: BELARUSIAN AND UKRAINIAN CUSTOMS AGENCIES PROMOTE MUTUAL COOPERATION
On 27 August 2004, Alyaksandr Shpilevsky, chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus, and Mikola Kalenskiy, chairman of the State Customs Service of Ukraine, met in Minsk to sign two protocols increasing customs cooperation between the two countries. The first protocol provides for interaction in controlling the customs value of goods, while the second protocol deals with sharing information on goods and vehicles crossing the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. The protocols will allow to better counter customs legislation violations and improve customs statistics. Belarusian and Ukrainian customs experts will work together to develop an information-sharing mechanism.[1,2]
In addition, Shpilevsky and Kalenskiy announced that the two countries plan to introduce joint customs control at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border by late 2004-early 2005 to reduce delays at the border. In 1995, Belarus and Ukraine signed an agreement on joint customs control but it was not implemented due to poor customs infrastructure in the two countries. The parties decided to create a joint working group to examine border crossings and decide on the feasibility of joint control. The officials indicated that two border points—Novaya Guta-Novyye Yarilovichi or Novaya Rudnya-Vystupovichi—may become the first border crossings with joint customs control.[3,4]
Sources:
[1] The National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus Website, 27 August 2004, <http://www.tvr.by/rus/news.asp?
id=5758&date=27.08.2004>.
[2] Olga Sredneva, "Protocol ob organizatsii obmena informatsiyey o tovarakh i transportnykh sredstvakh, peremeshchayemykh cherez granitsu Belarusi i Ukrainy, podpisan segodnya v Minske" [The protocol on the organization of information-sharing on goods and vehicles crossing the Belarusian-Ukrainian border signed in Minsk today], Belarusian telegraph agency BELTA, 27 August 2004; in Integrum-Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[3] Olga Sredneva, "Sovmestnyy kontrol v punktakh propuska na belorussko-ukrainskoy granitse mozhet byt organizovan k kontsu 2004 – nachalu 2005 goda" [Joint control at Belarusian-Ukrainian border crossings can be organized by late 2004-early 2005], Belarusian telegraph agency BELTA, 27 August 2004; in Integrum-Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[4] "Glavy tamozhennykh vedomstv Belorussii i Ukrainy vystupayut za organizatsiyu sovmestnogo tamozhennogo kontrolya na granitse dvukh stran" [Heads of customs agencies of Belarus and Ukraine favor the organization of joint customs control at the border of the two countries], ITAR-TASS, 27 August 2004; in Integrum-Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/
nisexcon/index.htm>.
4 May 2004: BELARUS AMENDS TRANSIT RULES FOR MILITARY GOODS
On 4 May 2004, the government of Belarus amended Decree No. 522 of 24 April 2002, On Approval of the Regulations on Transit of Military Goods through the Territory of the Republic of Belarus.[1] The amendments were necessitated by the creation of the State Defense Industry Committee (SDIC) in December 2003.[2] In accordance with the new decree, the SDIC has been added to the list of agencies from which approval is required to issue permits for the transit of military goods through Belarus.[1]
In addition, on a quarterly basis the State Customs Committee of Belarus will provide the SDIC with information regarding permits issued and the movement of military goods through Belarus, while the State Aviation Committee of Belarus will provide information about aircraft carrying such goods that cross Belarusian airspace without landing. Earlier these agencies reported such information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The decree establishes that the SDIC will be responsible for the implementation of government policy in the sphere of military and technical cooperation with foreign states with regard to transit of military goods. The agency has also been tasked with ensuring that transit of military cargoes is carried out in compliance with the international commitments of Belarus, as well as enforcing domestic export control regulations.[1]
Sources:
[1] Belapan, 4 May 2004; in "Belarusian Cabinet Amends Transit of Military-Purpose Goods," FBIS Document CEP20040504000196.
[2] "Belarus Establishes New Government Export Control Body," NIS Export Control Observer, February 2004, No. 13, pp. 3-4, <http://www.cns.miis.edu/nis-excon>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/
nisexcon/index.htm>.
9 April 2004: EU READY TO HELP DEVELOP BELARUSIAN BORDER AND CUSTOMS INFRASTRUCTURE
On 9 April 2004, Alyaksandr Shpilevsky, chairman of the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Belarus, met with Joachim Lehmann, head of the TACIS Office at the European Commission (EC) Mission to Belarus, and Timo Hammaren, head of the Trade and Economic Section of the EC Delegation to Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova, to discuss mutual cooperation in the development of Belarusian border and customs infrastructure under the TACIS program. Following the meeting, SCC press service head Uladzimir Pekhtereu announced that the EC is ready to allocate €16 million to finance the construction of a border cargo terminal—Kozlovichi-2—and two highway border checkpoints—Bruzgi and Berestovitsa—on the Belarusian-Polish border. According to the press service, a memorandum will be signed in May 2004. Tender documentation for the terminal's construction should be drafted by the time of the signing ceremony.[1,2,3,4]
In a related development, on 12 April 2004, Lieutenant General Alyaksandr Paulousky, chairman of the State Committee for Border Troops of Belarus, told Interfax that Belarus had called on European Union (EU) member countries to help finance the protection and development of the country's border infrastructure. Paulousky said, "We have been solving many European problems with our own budget funds so far." According to Paulousky, Belarus has involuntarily become involved in drug trafficking, illegal migration, and contraband. In Paulousky's opinion, the EU should take part in solving the problems, "which are not problems of Belarus but problems of the EU."[5]
Sources:
[1] Yelena Davydova, "Evrokomissiya gotova vydelit 16 mln. evro na stroitelstvo gruzovogo pogranichnogo terminala ‘Kozlovichi-2' i avtodorozhnykh KPP ‘Bruzgi' i ‘Berestovitsa' [The European Commission is ready to allocate 16 million euros for the construction of border cargo terminal "Kozlovichi-2" and highway border checkpoints ‘Bruzgi' and ‘Berestovitsa'], Belarusian Telegraph Agency BELTA, 9 April 2004; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[2] Viktor Stepanov, "€ 16 mln. na stroitelstvo terminala" [16 million euros for the construction of a terminal], SeaNews agency, 13 April 2004; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[3] Interfax, 12 April 2004; in "Belarus: European Commission To Help Finance Border Terminal," FBIS Document CEP20040412000035.
[4] For more information on the TACIS program, see "International Export Control Assistance to the NIS," NIS Export Control Observer, No.13, February 2004, pp. 26-29, <http://cns.miis.edu/nis-excon>.
[5] Interfax, 12 April 2004; in "Belarus Asks EU To Help Finance Border Protection," FBIS Document CEP20040412000036.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/nisexcon/index.htm>.
2 April 2004: BELARUS AND RUSSIA EXPAND COOPERATION IN FIGHTING TRANS-BORDER CRIME
On 2 April 2004, the ministers of internal affairs of Belarus and Russia, Major General Uladzimir Navumau and Colonel General Rashid Nurgaliyev, agreed during their negotiations in Moscow to conduct a large-scale joint police operation, dubbed "Border-2004," against international criminal groups acting in the border areas of the two countries. The operation is aimed at detecting and curbing activities of trans-border organized criminal groups involved in the smuggling of items of cultural significance, precious stones and metals, vehicles, and arms, as well as in illegal migration and human trafficking. The ministers also reviewed measures to enhance bilateral cooperation in combating drug trafficking and cybercrimes, to facilitate the extradition of criminals, and to ensure the safety of cargoes and passengers.[1,2] In 2003, the ministries of internal affairs of Belarus and Russia conducted 11 joint anti-crime operations.[3]
Navumau and Nurgaliyev had planned to sign a document outlining bilateral measures in the fight against organized crime at the 21 May 2004, joint board meeting of the ministries of internal affairs of the Union State of Russia and Belarus held in Mogileu, Belarus. However, the ministers found the draft document inadequate and agreed to sign it as soon as it is modified. It was announced at the board meeting that after the launch of the Border-2004 operation in April 2004, the police solved 570 crimes, detained 24 individuals on wanted lists, and neutralized three organized criminal groups.[4]
Sources:
[1] "Ministerstva vnutrennikh del Belarusi i Rossii provedut sovmestnuyu spetsoperatsiyu v prigranichnykh rayonakh dvukh stran" [Ministries of internal affairs of Belarus and Russia will conduct a joint special operation in border areas of the two countries], Belapan news agency, 2 April 2004; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[2] "Glavy MVD Rossii i Belorussii nametili provesti sovmestnuyu spetsoperatsiyu v prigranichnykh rayonakh dvukh stran" [Ministers of internal affairs of Russia and Belarus agreed to conduct a joint special operation in border areas of the two countries], ITAR-TASS, 2 April 2004; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[3] "Glava MVD dolozhil presidentu RF ob obshchem sostoyanii del s pravonarusheniyami v Rossii" [Minister of internal affairs reported to the president of the Russian Federation the general crime situation in Russia], ITAR-TASS, 8 April 2004; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[4] Sergey Kulyagin, "V Mogileve podpisany dokumenty po vzaimodeystviyu ministerstv vnutrennikh del Belarusi i Rossii" [Documents on interaction between ministries of internal affairs of Belarus and Russia were signed in Mogileu], Belapan news agency, 22 May 2004; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/
nisexcon/index.htm>.
23 January 2004: BELARUS PRESIDENT APPROVES NEW COMPOSITION OF SECURITY COUNCIL
According to the press service of the President of Belarus, on 23 January 2004, Alyaksandr Lukashenka approved the new composition of the country's Security Council.[1,2] The Security Council supervises the Interagency Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Controls, which determines export control policy and is the principal decision-maker on the issuance of export licenses.[3]
The table below lists the members of the Security Council of Belarus, as of 23 January 2004.[1,2]
| # | Name | Position |
| 1. | Alyaksandr Lukashenka |
President of the
|
| 2. | Syarhey Sidorski | Prime Minister of the
|
| 3. | Henadz Navitski | Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the
|
| 4.
|
Vadim Papou | Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the
|
| 5.
|
Ural Latypau | Head of the Presidential Administration of the
|
| 6.
|
Henadz Nyavyhlas | State Secretary of the Security Council of the
|
| 7.
|
Anatol Tozik |
Chairman of the State Control Committee |
| 8.
|
Viktar Sheiman | Prosecutor General |
| 9. | Pyotr Prakapovich | Chairman of the Board of the National Bank |
| 10. | Uladzimir Navumau | Minister of Internal Affairs |
| 11. | Svarhey Martynau | Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| 12. | Leanid Maltsau | Minister of Defense |
| 13. | Valeryy Astapau | Minister of Emergencies |
| 14. | Mikalai Korbut | Minister of Finance |
| 15. | Leanid Yeryn | Chairman of the State Security Committee |
| 16. | Alyaksandr Paulousky | Chairman of the State Committee for Border Troops |
| 17. | Svarhey Hurulyou | Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus - First Deputy Minister of Defense
|
Sources:
[1] "Head of the State Approves the Composition of the Security Council," 26 January 2004, President of Republic of Belarus website, <http://president.gov.by/eng/
president/news/archive/
january2004/26-30/ne2601-3.html>.
[2] "Aleksandr Lukashenko utverdil novyy sostav Soveta bezopasnosti Belorussii" [Alyaksandr Lukashenka approved the new composition of the Security Council of Belarus], Rosbalt news agency, 23 January 2004; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[3] "Belarus Export Control System in Brief," April 2002, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) website, <http://projects.sipri.se/expcon/natexcpon/Belarus/belbrief.htm.sdf>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/nisexcon/index.htm>
30 December 2003: BELARUS ESTABLISHES NEW GOVERNMENT EXPORT CONTROL BODY
In accordance with Presidential Decree No. 599 of 30 December 2003, Belarus has established the State Defense Industry Committee (SDIC).[1] According to the press service of the presidential administration, this new state committee was created "with the purpose of implementing a unified state policy in the spheres of national defense of Belarus, development of the defense industry, and military-technical cooperation."[2,3,4] The range of primary responsibilities of the SDIC encompasses development and implementation of measures aimed at preserving and improving the scientific-technical and economic potential of the defense industry in Belarus.[2,3,4] The SDIC is also mandated to restructure the Belarusian defense industry so that it can be more competitive under market conditions.[2,3,4] In addition, amendments will be introduced to Belarusian export control legislation, delegating to the new body certain export control functions.[2,3,4]
Nikolay Azamatov, former chief designer of automated control systems and information technologies at the Ministry of Industry and former director general of the State Scientific Production Association Agat was appointed chairman of the newly founded SDIC.[1,2,3,4] It is expected that, as SDIC chairman, Azamatov will become a member of the cabinet of ministers.[2]
Sources:
[1] "V sootvetstvii s Ukazom Prezidenta Belarusi sozdan Gosudarstvennyy voyenno-promyshlennyy komitet" [State Defense Industry Committee established in accordance with presidential decree], Belarusian Telegraph Agency BELTA, 31 December 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[2] Sergey Ivanov, "Komitet voyenzakaza" [The Committee of Military Procurement], Belorusskaya delovaya gazeta, No. 1392, 9 January 2004; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[3] "Minsk. Sozdan Gosudarstvennyy voyenno-promyshlennyy komitet" [Minsk. State Defense Industry Committee established], InfoNews, 4 January 2004; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[4] Larisa Klyuchnikova, "V Belorussii ukazom prezidenta sozdan Gosudarstvennyy voyenno-promyshlennyy komitet" [State Defense Industry Committee created in Belarus in accordance with presidential decree], ITAR-TASS, 30 December 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/
nisexcon/index.htm>.
17-18 December 2003: RUSSIA AND BELARUS TAKE STEPS TO UNIFY EXPORT CONTROL LEGISLATION AND STREGTHEN MILITARY-TECHNICAL COOPERATION
On 17-18 December 2003, the third meeting of the Joint Belarus-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation was held in Minsk.[1] According to the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus, the agenda of the meeting focused on issues related to the unification of the national legislation of the two countries in the area of export control of military goods.[1,2] In addition to this, the participants discussed the prospect for developing and improving bilateral relations in the field of military-technical cooperation.[1,2] The Commission members also reviewed the progress in implementing decisions related to the creation of joint defense enterprises, which were adopted at the second meeting held in Moscow on 26-27 June 2003.[3,4] Apart from the two meetings of the Commission, six meetings of Belarusian and Russian experts in the field of military-technical cooperation were held in 2003.[3]
Commenting on the results of the Commission's third meeting, the head of the Russian delegation, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation's Committee on Military-Technical Cooperation with Foreign Countries (CMTC) Vladimir Paleshchuk told Interfax news agency that the parties reached an agreement whereby, beginning 1 January 2004, Belarus and Russia will sell military goods to each other only at mutually agreed upon internal prices.[1,5] Regarding bilateral military-technical cooperation, Paleshchuk added that because in this area the legislative framework of both countries is "practically similar," there would be no need for significant adjustments.[5] Paleshchuk also noted that the Commission paid special attention to a future program that calls for the establishment of Belarusian-Russian joint ventures in the defense industry. According to Paleshchuk, one "very powerful" industrial joint venture will become operational in Belarus in 2004 and two to three smaller joint ventures will open in Russia.[5] In accordance with the decisions made at the second meeting, Russian participants in the future joint ventures will include the Federal Unitary Enterprise Rosoboronexport, as well as several aeronautics facilities, such as the State Unitary Enterprise "Sukhoi" Aircraft Military and Industrial Complex, the Open Joint Stock Company Air Defense Concern Almaz-Antey, the Federal Unitary Enterprise Air Company Polet, and the Federal Unitary Enterprise Moscow Scientific-Research Institute of Instrument Design. The Belarusian entities expected to join the joint ventures include the State Scientific-Industrial Association Agat, the Closed Joint Stock Company Beltekheksport, and the Open Joint Stock Company Peleng.[6]
Complementing Paleshchuk's statements, Belarus Deputy Defense Minister on Arms Issues Major General Pyotr Rahazheuski, stated that in 2004, the governments of Russia and Belarus will consider drafts of the following three intergovernmental documents regulating bilateral military-technical cooperation: the Agreement on Unified Pricing of Bilateral Exports of Military Goods; Agreement on the Procedures for Participation of Companies in Tenders for Allocation of Procurement Orders for Maintenance and Modernization of Military Equipment and Weapons; and the Agreement on the Mutual Protection of Intellectual Rights in the Area of Military-Technical Cooperation.[7]
Editor's Notes: According to the Belarus-Russia Treaty on Creation of the Union State of 8 December 1999, the main purpose of the Union State is the achievement of the highest degree of integration of brotherly Belarusian and Russian peoples, which, among other aspects, will include the formation of a common economic space and currency, as well as the conduct of unified foreign and defense policies. As envisioned in the document, the realization of these objectives will be carried out gradually. The institutional framework of the Union State is represented by the Supreme State Council, Parliament, Council of Ministers, Court and the National Audit Office of the Union State, and the Permanent Committee of the Union State.[8] The Program of Action by the Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus towards Implementation of Provisions of the Treaty on Creation of the Union State of 8 December 1999 contains the timeline and stages of integration of the two countries.[9]
After the breakup of the Soviet Union the military-technical cooperation between Belarus and Russia was conducted in accordance with the Commonwealth of Independent States' Collective Security Treaty of 15 May 1992. Subsequently the regulatory framework for bilateral military-technical cooperation evolved into one interstate and four intergovernmental agreements, including On Military-Technical Cooperation of 29 October 1993, On Industrial and Scientific-Technical Cooperation of Enterprises of the Defense Industry of 20 May 1994, and On Procedures for Interaction in the Process of Export of Military Goods to Third Countries of 18 July 2003. The main focus of military-technical cooperation between Belarus and Russia includes the following areas: mutual transfers of components and spare parts for military equipment; maintenance, service, and modernization of weapons and military equipment of the Belarusian armed forces; and training of Belarusian military personnel at military educational institutions in the Russian Federation.[10]
Sources:
[1] Olesya Luchaninova, "Voprosy unifikatsii zakonodatelstv Belorussii i Rossii v oblasti eksportnogo kontrolya budut obsuzhdeny v Minske" [Questions of unification of export control legislation of Belarus and Russia will be discussed in Minsk], RIA Novosti, 17 December 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[2] Andrey Fomin, "Belorussiya i Rossiya namereny unifitsirovat natsionalnyye zakonodatelstva v oblasti eksportnogo kontrolya za voyennoy produktsiyey" [Belarus and Russia intend to unify national legislation in the area of export control of military goods], ITAR-TASS, 17 December 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[3] "Predpriyatiya Belarusi proyavlyayut vse bolshe interesa k deyatelnosti Belorussko-Rossiyskoy mezhpravitelstvennoy kommissii po voyenno-tekhnicheskomu sotrudnichestvu" [Belarusian enterprises are increasingly interested in the activities of the Belarus-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation], Belarusian Telegraph Agency BELTA, 18 December 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[4] "Predstaviteli Rossii i Belarusi rassmotryat voprosy ukrepleniya VTS" [Representatives of Russia and Belarus will consider questions of strengthening military-technical cooperation], Interfax, 23 June 2003; in the Inter-Regional Fund of Information Technologies website, <http://www.mfit.ru/defensive/obzor/
ob27-06-03-5.html>.
[5] "V 2004 g. Belarus i Rossiya budut prodavat drug drugu voyennuyu tekhniku tolko po vnutrennim tsenam" [In 2004 Belarus and Russia will sell military goods to each other only at internal prices], ITAR-TASS, 18 December 2003; UNIAN-VPK [Ukrainian Independent Information News Agency – News From Military-Industrial Complex], No. 51 (293), 15-21 December 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[6] "Iz Rossii budem torgovat, v Belorusi – remontirovat" [Selling from Russia, maintenance works in Belarus], Belorusskiy rynok ["Belarusian market," Belarusian weekly business newspaper], No. 25 (558), 30 June – 7 July 2003, <http://www.br.minsk.by/index.php?article=19010>.
[7] "V 2004 godu pravitelstva Belarusi i Rossii rassmotryat 3 proyekta soglasheniy po voyenno-tekhnicheskomu sotrudnichestu" [In 2004 governments of Belarus and Russia will consider 3 drafts of agreements on military-technical cooperation], Belarusian Telegraph Agency BELTA, 17 December 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[8] "Dogovor o sozdanii Soyuznogo gosudarstva" [Treaty on Creation of the Union State], 8 December 1999; Soyuz-Info, the official information agency of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, <http://www.sinfo.ru/ru/main/library/
acts_souz/detail.shtml?id=28>.
[9] "Programma deistviy Rossiiskoy Federatsii i Respubliki Belarus po realizatsii polozhenii Dogovora o sozdanii Soyuznogo gosudarstva" [Program of actions by the Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus towards implementation of Provisions of the Treaty on Creation of the Union State], 8 December 1999; Soyuz-Info, the official information agency of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, <http://www.sinfo.ru/ru/main/library/
acts_souz/detail.shtml?id=27>.
[10] Vladislav Losev, "Osobennosti voyenno-tekhnicheskogo sotrudnichestva mezhdu Belorussiyey i Rossiyey" [Peculiarities of military-technical cooperation between Belarus and Russia], Materik [Information-analytical portal of post-Soviet space], Bulletin No. 78, 1 July 2003, <http://materik.ru/index.php?section
=analitics&bulid=54&bulsectionid=4481>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/
nisexcon/index.htm>.
November 2003: BELARUS-RUSSIA: WILL CUSTOMS BARRIERS HINDER CREATION OF A UNIFIED STATE?
By Vyachaslau Paznyak, International Institute of Political Studies, Minsk, Belarus
On 27 August 2003, during a meeting on agricultural development in Orsha, Vitebsk Oblast, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that it is a priority for Belarus to protect its domestic market against low quality goods produced in other countries that arrive duty-free through the Belarusian-Russian border and thus unfairly compete with similar Belarusian goods. Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus Aleksandr Shpilevskiy was tasked to solve this problem, or, otherwise, to introduce on the state border the same customs control as is currently practiced by the Russian side, beginning 1 January 2004.[1] Even though it appears that the proposed measures are of a purely protectionist nature, their consequences will have an immediate political impact, further challenging the already questionable viability of the union between Belarus and Russia. This time the problem entails a re-creation of customs barriers on both sides of the border, a task that might become an insurmountable obstacle for the creation of a customs union between the two countries. This would imply not just a retreat from existing agreements, but essentially a return to the situation of the mid-1990s, when the more modest task of the creation of a free trade area – a prerequisite for any customs union – was being addressed. If such measures are undertaken, Belarus and Russia will have rejected both the principle of a common customs territory and the principle of a unified external customs border. This will indicate that the priorities of both countries have shifted again towards the restoration of national customs territories and borders.
The process of the creation of a customs union between Belarus and Russia began in January-February 1995, when Russian-Belarusian agreements on the customs union were signed. These agreements provide for the integration of the two countries' customs territories into a common customs territory and joint administration of the customs services. Those goals were later included in the Community Treaty, Charter of the Union of Belarus and Russia, and the Treaty on the Creation of a Union State. As a result of the aforementioned bilateral treaties, the Customs Committee of the Union of Belarus and Russia has functioned since June 1996.
Among the subsequently signed bilateral agreements, the following are especially noteworthy: the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Completion of Unification and Creation of a Common System of Tariff and Non-Tariff Regulation in the Union State (January 2001); the Union State Program on the Prioritized Development of Infrastructure of the Border Customs Clearance Points (border checkpoints) on the Territory of the Republic of Belarus (implemented in 1997 to combat smuggling and improve customs control on the external customs border of Belarus); and the Program for the Creation of a Joint Information System of the Customs Committee of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. In July 2003, the Union's Customs Committee board discussed suggestions on the complete removal of customs control on the common border and the unification of the customs legislation of the two countries.[2]
In May 1995, the presidents of Belarus and Russia signed edicts on the removal of customs controls on the internal customs border of the two states. However, a considerable quantity of goods produced in third countries was cleared in Belarus due to its lower customs tariffs and subsequently transited to Russia, causing serious damage to the Russian economy.[3] Beginning in November 1996, the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation repeatedly introduced and revoked customs controls with regard to goods from third countries exported to Russia via Belarus. In late March 2000, Russia restored customs controls on the Belarusian-Russian border on a de facto basis. In response, on 1 August 2000, Belarus introduced customs clearance and controls for goods from third countries arriving via Russia, albeit without restoring the customs posts on the immediate border. In January 2003, the head of the State Customs Committee of Belarus announced the need to establish the presence of Belarusian customs on the Belarusian-Russian border by creating posts similar to the Russian customs posts, to control the inflow of goods produced in third countries.[4]
Despite the common trade and customs policy regarding other countries, transit goods and other issues remain to be solved, hampering the formation of a common customs tariff, the unification of customs and external economic legislation, and the creation of a coordinated and centralized system of administration of the customs and foreign trade bodies.[5] As early as April 1999, the Supreme Council of the Union State decided that the customs territories of Russia and Belarus form a unified "customs space," but not a common customs territory, which is necessary for a full-fledged customs union to function.
The customs union of Belarus and Russia thus remains a declaration of intentions and the process of its creation has been rather circular. This can be explained, for the most part, by contradictions between the political, economic, and financial interests of the two sides that go beyond the customs problems, rather than by bureaucratic obstacles and uncoordinated actions in the customs sphere.
Sources:
[1] "27 avgusta na baze Orshanskogo lnokombinata Vitebskoy oblasti s uchastiyem Prezidenta Respubliki Belarus Aleksandra Lukashenko proshlo ocherednoye vyyezdnoye soveshchaniye po voprosam razvitiya selskokhozyaystvennoy otrasli" [On 27 August a regular meeting on agricultural development issues attended by President Aleksandr Lukashenko was held at the Orsha cotton factory in Vitebsk Oblast], Press-service of the President of Belarus, 25-31 August 2003, <http://www.president.gov.by/rus/
president/news/archive/
august2003/25-31/>.
[2] A. Alesin, "Tamozhnya dayet dobro" [Customs gives approval], Belorusskiy rynok, 21-28 July 2003, No. 28 (561).
[3] S. Kalinkina, "Tesnyy soyuz, kotoryy dal trechshinu" [Close union which showed a fracture], Belorusskaya delovaya gazeta, 23 January 1997; A. Bondarev, "Soyuznoye gosudarstvo stroitsya dlya lyudey, a ne dlya chinovnogo sosloviya" [The Union State is being built for the people, not for the bureaucracy], interview, Soyuz. Belarus-Rossiya, 8 February 2001, No. 4 (10).
[4] "Glava belorusskogo GTK zayavlyayet o neobkhodimosti ustanovit na granitse s RF kontrol za tovarami iz tretyikh stran" [Head of the Belarusian State Customs Committee announces the need to establish control over goods from third countries on the border with the Russian Federation], ITAR-TASS, 24 January 2003.
[5] S. Pisarevich, "V poiskakh variantov. Yedinoye tamozhennoye prostranstvo Soyuza Belarusi i Rossii nakhoditsya poka v stadii stanovleniya" [In search of options. A single customs space of the Union of Belarus and Russia is still in the formative stage], Nezavisimaya gazeta, 20 April 2000; A. Sirotskiy, "Tamozhennyy soyuz: plany i realii" [Customs union: plans and realities], Belarusskiy zhurnal mezhdunarodnogo prava i mezhdunarodnykh otnosheniy, 2000, No. 1.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/
nisexcon/index.htm>.
27 July 2003: RADIOACTIVE RAILCAR DETAINED ON BELARUSIAN-UKRAINIAN BORDER
On 27 July 2003, Belarusian customs officials at the Kalinkovichi railway station (Gomelsk Oblast), Belarus, detained a railway flatcar with two 20-metric ton containers while inspecting a train originating from Ukraine.[1] According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Belarus, a DRS-RM1401 radiation survey meter positioned 10 cm from the containers' wall indicated a radioactivity level of 87,000 microroentgens per hour. (Natural background radiation is about 20 microroentgens per hour.) However, the level of radioactivity at 10 meters from the flatcar was within the normal range.[2] The flatcar with the containers was detached from the train and sent back to the Korosten railway station (Zhitomir Oblast), Ukraine. Experts from the Ukrainian Department of Emergency Situations and Protection of the Population from Consequences of the Chernobyl Disaster and the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service (SES), as well as officers of the railway station police and the Security Service of Ukraine were immediately called to the station.[3]
The Investigation conducted by Ukrainian authorities indicated that the containers held ionizing radiation sources based on cobalt-60, the export of which had been properly licensed. It was established that the documents accompanying the cargo, destined for the Kolodishchi railway station near Minsk and ultimately the Minsk-based Russian-Belarusian joint venture Izotopnyye Tekhnologii, were in order, and that the Committee on Oversight of Safe Conduct of Operations in Industry and Nuclear Power Engineering of the Belarusian Ministry of Emergency Situations (Promatomnadzor) had issued a license for the import of the sources to the country.[4] The flatcar had been returned to Ukraine because Promatomnadzor's license was not at the Kalinkovichi railway station customs post when the train was passing through.[1]
SES experts and personnel from the Ukrainian enterprise Izotop, the producer of the sources, jointly measured the level of radioactivity and determined that the radioactivity emitted by the containers was significantly lower than initially thought and was within the acceptable range as defined by the Rules of Nuclear and Radiation Safety during the Transportation of Radioactive Materials issued by the State Nuclear Regulation Committee of Ukraine on 23 May 2001.[3] The inexplicably high level of radioactivity recorded on 27 July had actually been caused not by high emission levels, but by a defect in the meter used by the Belarusian customs officials.[4] After these clarifications, the railcar with the containers was sent back to its destination.[3]
Sources:
[1] "Belarus vozvratila konteynery iz-za byurokraticheskoy provolochki" [Belarus returns containers due to the bureaucratic foot-dragging], Obozrevatel information agency, 29 July 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[2] "V Belarusi zaderzhan vagon s radioaktivnym gruzom, pribyvshim iz Ukrainy" [Railcar with radioactive cargo, which arrived from Ukraine, detained in Belarus], Podrobnosti information service (Ukraine), 28 July 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[3] "Radioaktivnyy gruz" [Radioactive cargo), Official website of the city of Korosten, 28 July 2003, <www.kr.com.ua>.
[4] Natalya Artemchik, "Tamozhnya zaderzhala na granitse radioaktivnyy vagon" [Customs detains a radioactive railcar at the border], Komsomolskaya pravda v Belorussii, 29 July 2003, <http://minsk.kp.ru/2003/07/29/new3222/>
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/
pubs/nisexcon/index.htm>.
12 June 2003: CESIUM DEALERS CONVICTED IN BELARUS
On 12 June 2003, the Leninsk district court of the city of Bobruysk, Belarus, sentenced four city residents to jail terms from two to four years for the attempted illegal sale of radioactive material.[1,2] The State Security Committee (KGB) of Belarus arrested the four men in Bobruysk in February 2003 during an undercover operation in which the accused attempted to sell two containers of the radioactive isotope cesium-137 to a KGB agent for $500,000. The sealed containers emitted radiation that exceeded the acceptable norm by 20 times.[3,4]
The investigation revealed that the illegal material was brought to Belarus by an unnamed Russian citizen, whose whereabouts is also unknown. After examining the containers, experts from the Associated Institute of Energy and Nuclear Studies (Sosny) of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences concluded that the seized cesium-137 is, most probably, used in radioisotope devices. However, due to the absence of any identification marks on the containers and accompanying technical documentation, the decision was made to bury the containers as radioactive waste.[1,2]
Sources:
[1] Vyacheslav Tkach, "Torgovtsy tseziyem zarabotali srok" [Cesium sellers earned a jail term], Komsomolskaya pravda v Belorussii, 14 June 2003, <http://minsk.kp.ru/2003/
06/14/new1946/>.
[2] Pavel Minchenko, "Torgovtsy tseziyem poluchili po zaslugam" [Cesium sellers got what they deserved], Sovetskaya Belarus, 14 June 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[3] Pavel Minchenko, "Pod prikrytiyem legendy" (Under the guise of the legend), Sovetskaya Belarus, 12 February 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[4] Olesya Luchaninova and Vera Pollo, "V Belorussii zaderzhany chetvero grazhdan pri popytke sbyt dva konteynera s tseziyem-137" [Four civilians detained in Belarus while attempting to sell two containers with cesium-137], RIA Novosti, 13 February 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/
pubs/nisexcon/index.htm>.
15-16 May 2003: MTCR CHAIRMAN AMBASSADOR MARIUSZ HANDZLIK MAKES HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO BELARUS
On 15-16 May, 2003, Chairman of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Ambassador Mariusz Handzlik of Poland visited the Republic of Belarus.[1,2,3] This was the first official visit of the head of the MTCR to Belarus. During his meeting with Belarusian government officials, Ambassador Handzlik invited the government of Belarus to consider the possibility of joining the MTCR.[2,3] In the course of the discussions the Belarusian side reaffirmed its commitment to the main goals and principles of nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, related technologies, and means of their delivery.[3] Both sides agreed to broaden the dialogue in the field of nonproliferation and export control of missiles and missile technologies.[3] Ambassador Handzlik emphasized that he held only preliminary discussions with the Belarusian side and that he did not expect to receive definite answers regarding the possible ascension of Belarus to the MTCR.[2,3]
Editor's Note: In the late 1990s, Belarus allegedly exported to China vehicles for launching solid-fuel long-range missiles.[4] It has also participated with Russia in the modernization of the Pechora-2 anti-aircraft missile system.[5]
Sources:
[1] See articles on MTCR in NIS Export Control Observer: "Changes in MCTR Control List," NIS Export Control Observer, No. 1, January 2003, pp. 5-6; "Romania Continues Efforts to Join the MCTR," NIS Export Control Observer, No. 3, March 2003, p. 5; "NIS Membership in Multilateral Export Control Regimes," NIS Export Control Observer, No. 4, April 2003, p. 9; "MTCR Featured in MIPT Lecture Series," NIS Export Control Observer, No. 5, May 2003, p. 14.; <http://cns.miis.edu/nis-excon>.
[2] Aleksandr Nikolaichuk, "Belarusi predlagayut rezhim" [Belarus is offered a regime], Belorusskaya delovaya gazeta, 15 May 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com/>.
[3] Boris Zalesskiy, "Podklyuchayemsya k kontrolyu nad raketnymi tekhnologiyami" [Joining the Missile Technology Control Regime], Vecherniy Minsk, 21 May 2003; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com/ >.
[4] Bill Gertz, "Missile Related Technology Sold to Beijing by Belarus," Washington Times, 12 June 1997, <http://www.freerepublic.com/
forum/a1002727.htm>.
[5] "First Launches of the Belarus-Russian Anti-Aircraft Missile System ‘Pechora-2,' " Charter'97 Press Center, <http://www.charter97.org/eng/
news/2001/08/10/11>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/
nisexcon/index.htm>.
31 March 2003: BELARUSIAN, RUSSIAN CUSTOMS CONDUCT JOINT OPERATION
At a 31 March 2003 session of the Russia-Belarus Union's Customs Committee, heads of customs committees of the two countries announced the launch of a new joint anti-smuggling operation, known as "Belarus Transit." According to ITAR-TASS, the main purpose of the operation is to stop contraband that some firms try to smuggle to and from Russia through Belarus. Special attention will be paid to exposing false customs information submitted by sham firms.[1] The operation is to continue until the end of 2003. If it proves to be effective, it may be conducted again in 2004.[2]
Sources:
[1] ITAR-TASS, 31 March 2003; "Belarusian, Russian customs to carry out joint anti-contraband operation," FBIS Document CEP20030331000238.
[2] Nataliya Grib, "Rossiya i Belorussiya prosledyat za kontrabandoy" [Russia and Belarus Track Contraband], IRU-CIS website, <http://www.iru-cis.ru/
news/2003/4/01_0.htm>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs
/nisexcon/index.htm>.
11 March 2003: LUKASHENKO SIGNS EDICT ON FOREIGN MILITARY COOPERATION
On 11 March 2003, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Edict No. 94 On Measures Regulating Military and Technical Cooperation of the Republic of Belarus with Foreign States. The new edict lists the categories of military goods and services subject to export controls and defines the principles governing state policy in the sphere of military technical cooperation. These include the protection of Belarusian national interests and the fulfillment of its international commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and other international agreements.[1]
The edict also defines the responsibilities of government agencies involved in the export control system (Articles 1.5 – 1.11). Under the edict, the President determines state policy for military technical cooperation, and makes decisions on establishing or revoking such cooperation with foreign governments (Article 1.5). The State Secretariat of the Security Council prepares proposals for the President on state policy on military technical cooperation, the establishment of military technical cooperation with foreign governments, and the leasing of military goods (Article 1.9). The Council of Ministers creates a framework for implementation of state policy on military technical cooperation, publishes regulations related to dual-use goods, concludes intergovernmental agreements on military technical cooperation, and defines procedures for licensing the export of goods (Article 1.7).
The Security Council's Interagency Commission on Military Technical Cooperation and Export Control has a major role in the licensing process (Article 1.6), as all export licenses have to be approved by the Commission, before being issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is the licensing authority.[2,3] The Committee for State Control sees that export control regulations and laws are properly implemented (Article 1.8). Other agencies participating in the licensing process are the Ministry of Defense, the Committee for State Security, the State Customs Committee, the Ministry of the Economy, and the National Academy of Sciences. The edict entered into force the day of its publication.[1]
Sources:
[1] "O nekotorykh merakh po regulirovaniyu voyenno-tekhnicheskogo sotrudnichestva Respubliki Belarus s inostrannymi gosudarstvami" (On Measures Regulating Military and Technical Cooperation of the Republic of Belarus with Foreign States), Ukaz Prezidenta Respubliki Belarus – 2003 god, No. 94, 11 March 2003, President of Belarus website, <http://www.president.gov.by/rus/
president/Office_Docum/
ukaz/2003/ukaz94.html>.
[2] Alexander Baichorov, "International Regimes of Non-Proliferation and the Export Control Policy of the Republic of Belarus," Belarus MFA website, http://www.mfa.gov.by/eng/publications/3.htm.
[3] Natsionalnyy otchet Respubliki Belarus o politike eksportnogo kontrolya, eksporta vooruzheniy i voyennoy tekhniki v 2001/2002 godu (National Report of the Republic of Belarus on Export Control Policy and Arms and Military Technology Policy for 2001-2002), Belarus MFA website, <http://www.mfa.gov.by/rus/publications/9.htm>.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/
nisexcon/index.htm>.
February 2003: BELARUS PUBLISHES REPORT ON EXPORT CONTROL
In October 2002, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a report on the country's export control system in an effort to alleviate international concerns that Belarus was failing to control exports of arms and sensitive dual-use items. Belarus came under scrutiny in 2002 for allegedly supplying arms to countries under UN arms embargoes, including Iraq.[1,2]
Belarus denied the allegations and stated that it "does not sell weapons to nations to which arms sales are banned by resolutions of the UN Security Council."[3] The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently published a report on export control and exports of weapons and military hardware in 2001-2002. The report describes the country's export control legislation, export control licensing procedures, and the role of various government agencies. According to the report, Belarus complies with international export control norms and has an effective export control system. The report points to a number of license denials and highlights Belarus's submission of information to the UN registry as evidence of an export control system that is working.[4] It does not, however, discuss alleged violations of export control regulations by Belarusian enterprises, or illicit transfers, nor does it elaborate on implementation of enforcement procedures.
Sources:
[1] Mark Lenzi, "Europe's Armory for Terrorism," The Washington Post, 3 January 2002; Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com>.
[2] Natalya Khmelik, "Voyennyiye Podstavki," Sovershenno Sekretno, 5 August 2002; in Integrum Techno, <http://www.integrum.com>.
[3] "The Embassy of Belarus Responds," The Washington Post, 22 January 2002; Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com>.
[4] Belarus National Assessment of Export Control Policies, Arms and Military Equipment Export in 2001-2002, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Belarus.
This item originally appeared in NIS Export Control Observer: <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/nisexcon/index.htm>.
16 January 2003: MINSK DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN SHIPPING MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO IRAQ
On 12 January 2002, Lebanese customs officials at the Beirut International Airport discovered 13 tons of military equipment aboard a flight from Minsk, the capital of Belarus.[1,2] The boxes labeled "Head Protectors" raised the suspicions of Lebanese customs officials, who performed a spot check of a randomly selected box stored in a transit hangar. The inspection revealed helmets, uniforms, and wireless communications equipment designed for tank crews.[1,2] Lebanese customs authorities seized the total shipment of 600 helmets and 240 wireless communication sets.[3] Lebanese security officials suggested that the cargo was supposed to be disguised as food and subsequently intended for transit by land to Iraq via Syria, in violation of the UN-imposed ban on arms supplies to Iraq.[2,4,5]
On 16 January 2