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5/9/2002: 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]
5/6/2001: SPECIALISTS FROM METSAMOR READY
TO WORK IN IRAN
At a 5 June 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.
7/25/2000: 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.
3/2/99: 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]
7/31/97: US-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.
2/97: 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.
12/94: 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.
6/93: 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.
5/93: 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.
2/9/93: 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.
Page last updated 20 December 2002
Comments or questions? Contact Kenley Butler at
MIIS CNS: Kenley.Butler@miis.edu |
