Posted on 09/20/2003 12:24:48 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
WASHINGTON — The United States has imposed sanctions against a Chinese firm for alleged missile technology sales, according to a notice published today in the Federal Register (see GSN, July 30).
Last month, the United States determined that the state-owned China North Industries Corp. (Norinco) had engaged in missile technology proliferation activities, according to the notice (see GSN, July 3). Under the sanctions, which take effect today, Norinco will be prohibited from importing items controlled by the Missile Technology Control Regime annex or the Export Administration Act of 1979 and from entering into contracts with Washington relating to such items for two years. Norinco is also banned from exporting all goods to the United States for two years.
Norinco is no stranger to U.S. sanctions, having been sanctioned twice for alleged missile-related transfers in the last four months. In July, the company was sanctioned for allegedly transferring items to Iran that could make a “material contribution” to Tehran’s WMD or ballistic missile programs. In May, the United States sanctioned Norinco for allegedly aiding Iran’s ballistic missile program (see GSN, May 23). Norinco, however, has denied providing missile assistance to other countries.
Today’s notice does not identify the alleged recipient of the missile technology transfer that triggered the latest sanctions.
In late July, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance Paula DeSutter called on China to do more to curb ballistic missile exports, calling such exports the “most significant proliferation concern” the United States has with China (see GSN, July 28). During a hearing of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, DeSutter identified Norinco as a “serial proliferator.”
“For some time, we have been alerting the Chinese government to our concerns about the activities of Norinco,” DeSutter said. “Nonetheless, the Chinese government appears to have taken no action to halt Norinco’s proliferant behavior,” she added.
Today’s announced sanctions would also apply for two years against all other Chinese state-owned entities engaged in activities related to the development of ballistic missiles, electronics, space systems and military aircraft, according to the notice. The U.S. State Department determined, however, that it is “essential to the national security of the United States” to waive the additional sanctions for one year, the notice says.
“These are the strongest sanctions we’ve ever imposed on China,” the Washington Times today quoted a State Department official as saying.
The Chinese bought this technology for a song. The money that they stuffed Klinton's Swiss bank account with was nothing to them. Klinton's treachery saved the Chinese 40 years of research at an investment of over half a trillion dollars. If our Washington politicians had the integrity of a slug, Klinton would be in prison and we would be examining Swiss bank account records (with the aid of military force) to find the extent of this unconscionable treason. But no, we give the Chinese another slap on the wrist while they laugh at us and the State Department apologizes to them.
Leave it to the State Department to water down what was merely a little slap on the wrist anyway. They never met a commie they didn't like.
NORINCO is a pretty well known importer of 1911A1 copies,AK rifles, SKS rifles, and those pump action shotguns that have gotten so popular with the Cowboy Action Shooting crowd. They also make a copy of the old "trench gun".
Are these the kind of folks you want to do business with ?
Are they protecting someone?
Are they protecting someone?
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