Please click here for the text of an archived report on Latvian export controls.
17-28 January 2005: UNITED STATES ORGANIZES TRAINING COURSES IN LATVIA
On 17-18 January 2005, the second of a series of Commodity Identification Training (CIT) courses was presented at the Latvian Customs Academy of the Riga Technical University. The course was attended by 20 active-duty customs officers from customs posts throughout Latvia. Technical information for development of the nuclear-related commodity identification course materials was provided by the International Nonproliferation Export Control Program (INECP) of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Course modules were developed under a contract with the Radiation Protection Center in Riga. The Latvian instructors presenting the nuclear-related lectures were trained by U.S. technical experts sponsored by INECP.
Instruction on nuclear-related commodity identification was integrated with information on the manufacture of chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction and information on Latvian customs laws and export control procedures. Staff from the Radiation Protection Center and instructors from the Riga Technical University prepared a two-volume set of Latvian-language textbooks for use in this course. The first volume contains 180 pages of information on the visual recognition of nuclear-related dual-use commodities, based on information provided by INECP. Each student attending this course received copies of both volumes of the textbook for use during the course, and as reference when returning to assigned customs posts. In order to receive course credit, each officer attending the course was required to pass a final examination with a score of 70 percent or higher.
Source:
"United States Organizes Training Courses in Latvia and Azerbaijan," NIS Export Control Observer, March 2005, CNS website, <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/nisexcon/index.htm>.
August 2004: EXPORT CONTROL TRAINING SEMINARS HELD IN LATVIA
In late August 2004, the U.S. DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) held a training seminar in Riga on nuclear-related export controlled commodities for Latvian technical experts from the Radiation Safety Center. The purpose of the training was to prepare these technical experts to teach customs cadets and front-line personnel to recognize, and thereby to interdict, illicit shipments of export-controlled goods. These experts will teach the first group of customs cadets about commodity recognition in the fall of 2004, with the course slated to be a regular part of the curriculum for all new customs inspectors. The NNSA will continue to support this work to ensure that on-duty personnel eventually receive this training as well.
Source:
Richard Talley, "Export Control Training Seminars in Latvia, Georgia, and Lithuania," NIS Export Control Observer, October 2004, CNS website, <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/nisexcon/index.htm>.
2003: THE BALTIC STATES IMPROVE THEIR EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEMS TO JOIN THE EU
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are currently upgrading their export control systems in order to meet European Union (EU) standards before joining the EU in May 2004. The EU may find it challenging, however, to accommodate existing members with advanced export control mechanisms and newcomers with less elaborate export control systems. Furthermore, while all current EU member states are members of every multilateral export control regime, Estonia and Lithuania do not belong to any of the regimes, and Latvia is a member of only the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). To the extent they remain outside the regimes, the Baltic states will not be allowed to participate in the decision-making processes within the groupings; however, as full-fledged members of the EU, they will have to abide by the regime-related decisions that are made by other EU members. Below is a brief summary of nonproliferation export control efforts in Latvia.
Latvian facilities that once supplied the former Soviet Union with commodities controlled by the MTCR, such as thermal protection materials for spaceships, electronics, radars, and sensors for missiles, no longer produce or export such items. However, Latvia has a List of Dual-Use Goods and Technologies, containing all relevant components that can be used to build aircraft and missiles.
Latvia joined the NSG in 1997 and has applied for membership in the MTCR, AG, and Wassenaar.
In January 2003, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers amended Regulations on Control of Strategic Goods, bringing Latvia into conformity with provisions of European Council Regulation No. 1334/2000, Setting Up a Community Regime for the Control of Exports of Dual-Use Items and Technologies, adopted in June 2000. The amendment made intangible exports of dual-use technologies subject to controls and introduced a catch-all clause. In February 2002, Latvia approved new control lists of strategic goods and technologies. Currently, the Latvian parliament is reviewing drafts of the new law On the Control of Strategic Goods, Regulations on Establishing the Strategic Goods Control Committee, and Regulations on Export Control Procedures. The new law will replace Regulations on Control of Strategic Goods, which have been in effect since 1997.
The Latvian government has created a database that contains information on licenses, import certificates, end-use certificates, and companies involved in transfers of strategic goods, as well as descriptions of goods, destinations, and dates of transfers. The database can be used for information exchange and electronic licensing betweenall relevant agencies, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, Customs Department, and the Ministry of Economy.
Source:
Victor Zaborsky, "The Baltic States Improve Their Export Control Systems to Join the EU ," NIS Export Control Observer, October 2003, CNS website, <http://www.cns.miis.edu/pubs/nisexcon/index.htm>.
14 February 1998: BORDER GUARDS STOP TRUCK WITH ABOVE-NORMAL RADIATION
Border guards at the Latvian-Lithuanian border in Grenctale stopped an Estonian truck carrying cat food from Lithuania after sensitive radiation detection equipment monitored radiation emissions 14 microroentgens above normal.[1] Although early reports stated that the cat food was emitting the radiation, a subsequent investigation revealed that the emissions came from the truck itself. Latvian border control permitted the truck to continue to Estonia.[2]
Sources:
[1] "Cat Food With Abnormal Radiation Level Detained in Latvia," Baltic News Service, 16 February 1998.
[2] "Detained Cat Food Had No Abnormal Radiation Level," Baltic News Service, 16 February 1998.{Entered 10 March 1998 djw}
27 January 1998: NEW RADIATION DETECTION EQUIPMENT MONITORS LATVIAN BORDER
A spokesman from the Latvian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development stated that new radiation detection equipment has been installed at the Grenctale-Salociai checkpoint on the Latvian-Lithuanian border. The Latvian government installed the device in response to the increasing threat of nuclear materials smuggling from Lithuania. The device is capable of screening a motor vehicle for radiation emissions within a few minutes. Since initial testing ten days ago, the device has already detected several shipments emitting excessive radiation. Another such device is scheduled to be installed on the Latvian-Estonian border at Ainazi. The Finnish government supplied the devices to the Latvians at a cost of nearly DM300,000 ($176,500).
Source:
Radio Vilnius Network, 27 January 1998; in "Radiation Monitors Installed on Lithuania-Latvia Border," FBIS-SOV-98-027. {Entered 6 February 1998 djw}
16 May 1997: LATVIA IMPROVES STRATEGIC GOODS CONTROL
Girts Krumins of the Latvian Development Agency announced that the Strategic Importance Exports and Imports Control Committee has established tighter control on transit of strategic goods. Up to this point, only weapons, ammunition, and explosives were controlled. The new system now controls exports of dual-use chemicals and goods, such as powerful computers and communications equipment. A special export license, called the SNEIKK, will have to be obtained when the system goes into effect on 14 June 1997. The list of controlled goods complies with that of the European Union.
Source:
"Latvia To Control Strategic Goods Transit," Baltic News Service, 16 May 1997. {Entered 11 July 1997 djw}
15 November 1996: RUSSIA AND LATVIA SIGN JOINT BORDER AGREEMENTS
Andrey Nikolayev, commander of the Russian Border Guards, and Gundars Dabolins, chief of the Latvian Border Guards, signed two cooperative agreements in Riga. The protocols are designed to strengthen cooperation in border protection and to fight organized crime, illegal migration, and the smuggling of drugs, weapons, ammunition and nuclear materials.
Source:
Saulius Girnius, "Latvian, Russian Border Guards Reach Agreement," OMRI Daily Digest, 18 November 1996. {Entered 10 February 1997 djw}
28 May 1996: U.S. DONATES EQUIPMENT FOR LATVIAN CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT
The U.S. government donated a minibus equipped with X-ray and radiation detection systems to the Latvian Customs Department for use in detecting radioactive contraband.
Source:
"Latvian Customs Department Received Donation From U.S. Embassy," Baltic News Service Daily Report, 28 May 1996.
Parts of this report were originally prepared by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies of the Monterey Institute of International Studies in January 1998 under a grant from the United States Department of Energy's Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control. The views expressed in this report are those of the authors alone, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Energy or the United States Government.
Overview
Latvia first developed an export control system in 1995, following the guidelines of the Australia Group (AG), the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). After two years, the government realized that the regulations required revision. Ultimately, Latvia's accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in 1997 necessitated the overhaul of Latvia's export control system. More information is available in the Export Controls Legislation and Export Control Developments sections.
[Girts Krumins, "Latvia," Worldwide Guide to Export Controls, 1997/1998 ed., Update No.2 (London: Export Control Publications, February 1998), pp. 1-4.]
Bureaucracy
Several agencies are involved in Latvia's export control system. The Control Committee of Strategic Goods determines export and import control policy, prepares lists of goods subject to control, and implements international economic sanctions and embargoes. The Control Committee is an inter-ministerial body appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers and consisting of representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Internal Affairs, Agriculture, Environmental Protection, the Economy, and Finance, and of the State Revenue Service, the Customs Department, and the Security Police. The Export and Import Control Department of the Latvian Development Agency handles licensing applications and international import certificates for strategic goods. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorizes licenses after the Export and Import Control Department signs them. The Customs Department and the Security Police enforce export, import, and transit policy control.
[Girts Krumins, "Latvia," Worldwide Guide to Export Controls, 1997/1998 ed., Update No.2 (London: Export Control Publications, February 1998), pp. 1-4.] {Entered 5/4/99 FW}
Licensing Process
The export, import, or transit of strategic goods requires a license. Applications for licenses must be submitted to the Latvian Export and Import Control Department of the Latvian Development Agency, a non-governmental institution accountable to the government. The Department receives technical assistance from Riga Technical University and customs laboratories to determine whether materials, equipment, technologies, or software are subject to controls. Licenses are signed by the Chairman of the Department or by the Secretary of the Control Committee, and are authorized by the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Companies importing strategic goods must provide end-use certificates and cannot re-export controlled items without the Department's permission.
Source:
Girts Krumins, "Latvia," Worldwide Guide to Export Controls, 1997/1998 ed., Update No.2 (London: Export Control Publications, February 1998), pp. 1-4. {Entered 4 May 1999 FW}
Enforcement Procedures
The Customs Department and the Security Police are responsible for enforcement of export and import control laws and conduct inspections. Penalties for violations are provided in the Latvian Criminal Code. The penalty for illegal trade in nuclear or radioactive materials, or toxic chemicals identified in the CWC, is up to five years' imprisonment.
Source:
Girts Krumins, "Latvia," Worldwide Guide to Export Controls, 1997/1998 ed., Update No.2 (London: Export Control Publications, February 1998), pp. 1-4. {Entered 4 May 1999 FW}
ON LISTS OF GOODS, PRODUCTION, SERVICES, AND TECHNOLOGIES WHICH REQUIRE LICENSES FOR EXPORT, IMPORT, AND TRANSIT
Decision of the Control Committee of Strategic Goods, 14 May 1997
This decision established three lists of controlled items:
1. List of Toxic Chemicals from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction
2. List of Arms, Weapons, and Munitions
3. List of Dual-Use Goods
List 1 includes all chemicals listed in schedules 1, 2, and 3 of the CWC and was created to facilitate licensing procedures under the CWC.[1] List 2 is a direct translation of the Wassenaar Arrangement List WA LIST (97) I/19-12-97.[2] List 3 is a direct translation of Annex 1 of European Union Regulation No. 3381/94 of 19 December 1994, which sets up a regime for export control of dual-use items. List 3 also includes subsequent amendments to the EU's list of dual-use goods (Decision No. 97/100/CFSP of 20 January 1997 and Decision No. 97/419/CFSP of 26 July 1997).[1] Latvia's 14 May 1997 decision also stipulates preparing subsequent regulations (listed below) and provides for specific procedures and penalties related to the export of the chemicals in each CWC schedule.[2]
Sources:
[1] Girts Krumins, "Latvia," Worldwide Guide to Export Controls, 1997/1998 ed., Update No.2 (London: Export Control Publications, February 1998), pp. 1-4.
[2] Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies Library Correspondence with Latvian Development Agency Export and Import Control Department Official, 16 September 1999.
REGULATION OF CONTROL OF STRATEGIC GOODS
Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 421, 16 December 1997
Article I of this regulation defines "strategic goods" as goods, materials, equipment, technologies, software, and services listed by the Control Committee of Strategic Goods. As of April 2000, the latest lists appear in the 14 May 1997 Decision of the Control Committee of Strategic Goods (above).[1] The regulation names the Control Committee of Strategic Goods as the agency responsible for controlling the export, import, transit, production, use, and stockpiling of strategic goods and delineates between Control Committee tasks and Latvian Development Agency duties. The Control Committee issues licenses, while the Agency issues statements, Delivery Verification Certificates, and End-Use Certificates. Article III outlines the rights and obligations of exporters, importers, and transshippers. A Latvian transshipping company is not required to obtain a transit license if the exporting country furnishes an export license and the importing country provides an import certificate. Article IV defines the procedure of the licensing process, while Article V stipulates that strategic goods can enter or leave Latvia only through border control points designated by the Customs Department. If the contents of a shipment of strategic goods change while in transit through Latvia, the shipment then becomes an export, and an export license is required. Article VI defines the control procedure for the export, import, and transit of strategic goods, and Article VII stipulates that the Control Committee has the right to decline to issue licenses when companies violate the regulation. Finally, the regulation renders invalid regulations No. 179, 110, 236, and 363.[2]
Sources:
[1] Girts Krumins, "Latvia," Worldwide Guide to Export Controls, 1997/1998 ed., Update No.2 (London: Export Control Publications, February 1998), pp. 1-4.
[2] Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia Regulation No. 421, Regulations of Control of Strategic Goods, 16 December 1997 (unofficial translation).
REGULATIONS OF THE CONTROL COMMITTEE OF STRATEGIC GOODS
Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 429, 23 December 1997
This regulation assigns the Control Committee of Strategic Goods responsibility for managing and developing the Latvian system of monitoring the production, stockpiling, use, export, import, and transit of strategic goods. As such, the Control Committee issues control lists, export, import, and transit control forms, and licenses. This regulation also defines the composition of the Control Committee and its procedures in fulfilling its responsibilities and nullifies Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 167 and 362.
Source:
Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia Regulation No. 429, Regulations of the Control Committee of Strategic Goods, 23 December 1997 (unofficial translation).
CRIMINAL CODE
The Latvian Criminal Code stipulates the penalties for export control violations, which are punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years. Illegal handling of nuclear materials, sources of radiation, or chemicals listed in the CWC annex is punishable by up to five years imprisonment.
Source:
Girts Krumins, "Latvia," Worldwide Guide to Export Controls, 1997/1998 ed., Update No.2 (London: Export Control Publications, February 1998), pp. 1-4.
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
The Latvian Administrative Code delineates fines as the penalty for providing false information or forged documents to export control authorities.
Source:
Girts Krumins, "Latvia," Worldwide Guide to Export Controls, 1997/1998 ed., Update No.2 (London: Export Control Publications, February 1998), pp. 1-4.
 |
| |
Updated May 2006 |
|
