5/4/2004: Kyrgyzstan
Issues New Export Control Implementing Legislation On 4 May 2004, the government of the Kyrgyz Republic
issued Decree No. 330 On
Measures Establishing a National System of Export Control in the Kyrgyz Republic,
by which it approved the statutes
On the Implementation of Export
Control Procedures in the Kyrgyz Republic
and On the Licensing Procedure for the
Transit of Controlled Commodities through the Territory of the Kyrgyz Republic,
as well as a new statute On
the Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Control
(CMTCEC) of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The decree and the statutes designate the Ministry of Economic
Development, Industry, and Trade (MEDIT), created in February 2004, as the
government authority to implement export controls and issue licenses for
exports, imports, re-exports, and transit of controlled items, and end-user
import certificates. The CMTCEC is designated as the national coordinating
authority in the sphere of export control. Before the creation of the new
ministry, its predecessor—the Ministry of External Trade and Industry—controlled
exports and imports of controlled items, except for nuclear materials and
military goods, the exports and imports of which were licensed by the Ministry
of Defense. According to the new implementing legislation, the MEDIT will issue
export, import, re-export, and transit licenses, and end-user import
certificates after preliminary coordination with a number of government agencies
designated as experts on certain controlled items. In addition, on the same day,
the government issued Directive No. 272-r, which introduced personnel changes to
the Permanent Interagency Working Group on Export Control (PIWGEC). For details
on controlled items, expert agencies, and working group personnel changes, see "Kyrgyzstan
Issues New Export Control Implementing Legislation, Introduces Changes to
Working Group on Export Control," NIS Export Control Observer, May 2004,
http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/nisexcon/pdfs/ob_0405e.pdf. ["Kyrgyzstan Issues New Export Control Implementing
Legislation, Introduces Changes to Working Group on Export Control," NIS
Export Control Observer, May 2004,
http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/nisexcon/pdfs/ob_0405e.pdf.] {Entered 6/11/04 CC}
9/2003: KYRGYZSTAN MAKES
PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING ITS NATIONAL EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM Kyrgyzstan has taken several actions to further develop its export control
system since the adoption of the law
On Export Control
in January 2003.
The Permanent Interagency Working Group of Export Control Experts, established
by Government Directive No. 121 of 17 March 2003, has submitted several
draft pieces of legislation to the government and has recommended changes to the
structure of the export control system.[1,2] One piece of draft legislation the
working group produced is
the statute On the Issuance of Licenses for Import, Export and Re-export of
Commodities on the National Control List That Can Be Used for the Production of
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), which establishes a licensing mechanism
for controlled goods.[4,5] The statute will likely be adopted as an amendment to
the law On Licensing during fall 2003.[4]
The Working Group will also develop a unified control list, based on the EU
and Kazakhstani
control lists, by the end of 2003. The control list will likely be endorsed by
the government and submitted to the Legislative Assembly for approval during the
first half of 2004.[3] Sources:
[1] Marat Usupov, “Export Control Law Adopted in Kyrgyzstan,” NIS Export Control
Observer, No. 3, March 2003, p.2,
http://cns.miis.edu/nis-excon.
[2] Nikolay Ryaguzov, “Export Control Working Group Formed in Kyrgyzstan,” NIS
Export Control Observer, No. 4, April 2003, pp. 7-8,
http://cns.miis.edu/nis-excon.
[3] CNS communication with Mr. Nikolay Ryaguzov, deputy head of the Directorate
of Military-Technical Cooperation of the Ministry of Defense of Kyrgyzstan,
September 24, 2003.
[4] “Kyrgyzstan uzhestochit kontrol za eksportom i importom produktsii,
ispolzuyemoy dlya sozdaniya OMU,” Xinhua news agency, 15 July 2003; in Integrum Techno,
http://www.integrum.com.
[5] “V Kirgizii gotovyat noviy zakon o kontrole za produktsiyey dvoynogo
naznacheniya,”
Kyrgyz-Press News Agency, 17 July 2003,
http://www.kyrgpress.org.kg/03/Jul/17/7.htm.{Entered
10/13/2003 EC; adapted from article published in NIS Export Control Observer,
September 2003, http://cns.miis.edu/nis-excon.}
6/16/2003: KYRGYZSTAN TO OPEN 26 NEW
BORDER CROSSINGS A decree issued on 16 June
2003 by the Kyrgyzstani
government orders 26 new checkpoints to be opened along road and rail lines across
borders with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The new checkpoints
will be established to increase border control and security and also to reduce
illegal migration and smuggling. ["26 new
border crossings opens in Kyrgyzstan," Kabar News Agency Web Site,
http://www.kabar.kg, 16 June 2003.] {Entered
6/24/2003 AE}
1/23/2003: EXPORT CONTROL LAW ADOPTED IN KYRGYZSTAN
On 23 January 2003, the Legislative Assembly (Zakonodatelnoye Sobraniye) of the
Kyrgyzstani Parliament (Zhogorku Kenesh) adopted the law On Export Control. The
document was signed into law by Kyzgyzstani President Askar Akayev and came into
force in March 2003. The law, prepared by the
Ministries of Defense, Foreign Trade and Industry, and Foreign Affairs, was
originally debated at a session of the Legislative Assembly on 26 September 2002. The Assembly voted for the draft law on the first reading, noting however
that it required further revision. On 27 December 2002, the Legislative
Assembly considered a revised draft, which it eventually adopted in January
2003. To implement the law, the
Kyrgyzstani government issued a draft directive to establish an interagency
working group for export control. The group will work to implement the new law,
create the regulatory and legal framework required to establish an export
control system in the Kyrgyz Republic, and draft the national export control
list.
[Marat Usupov, "Export Control Law Adopted in Kyrgyzstan," NIS Export Control
Observer, March 2003, CNS Web Site,
http://cns.miis.edu/nis-excon.] {Entered 4/17/2003 KB}
11/12/2002: US DONATES VEHICLES TO IMPROVE BORDER CONTROL On 12 November 2002, US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan John O'Keefe
handed over 26
UAZ all-terrain vehicles to the Border
Services and the Ministry of Ecology and Emergencies of Kyrgyzstan. Fifteen vehicles
went to Kyrgyzstan's remote frontier posts. In 2002 the US government
transferred $80 million dollars to Kyrgyzstan to improve its border security. In addition, the US government is planning to donate
two helicopters to
the Border Services.[1] According to the US Department of State FY 2002
report, $95 million was budgeted by all US Government agencies for assistance
programs in the Kyrgyz Republic. The $80 million figure is part of the State
Department's
Export Control and
Border Security program (EXBS), which works to strengthen export controls in
Central Asia, specifically concentrating on border security to prevent illicit
trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, arms, and other illegal materials.
The assistance includes equipment and infrastructure support to border and
security forces of Kyrgyzstan.
[Kyrgyz
Television 1, 12 November 2002;
in "Kyrgyzstan: US donates vehicles to improve border control," FBIS Document CEP20021112000365.] {Entered
2/13/2003 AI}
10/29/2002: ADB ASSISTANCE TO KYRGYZSTANI CUSTOMS
On 29 October 2002, the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) approved a $15 million loan and $500,000 in
technical assistance to improve customs services in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.
These funds are part of a larger $28 million package allocated to assist customs
services in East and Central Asia. The funds are to be used to improve customs
services by strengthening coordination and regional cooperation between countries of Central Asia and their neighbors, as well as developing a stronger
institutional capacity and operational efficiency to prevent illegal trafficking
of drugs, money, and other sensitive materials. The technical assistance grant
will evaluate the need for modernization of the customs services in Kyrgyzstan.
The loan is allocated for a 24-year period.
["Promoting Customs
Cooperation and Trade in East and Central Asia," Asian Development Bank News
Release, ADB Web Site,
http://www.adb.org/Documents/News/2002/nr2002200.asp, No. 200/02, 29 October
2002.] {Entered 2/12/2003 AI}
4/24/2001: MULTILATERAL TRANSIT AGREEMENT DISCUSSED Representatives of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan met at the Fifth
International Forum on Export Controls and Nonproliferation of Weapons of
Mass Destruction for the Caucasus and Central Asia in Bishkek on 24-26 April 2001. The purpose of
the forum was to discuss and finalize a transit agreement that aims to harmonize
the export control procedures of the
participating countries in order to facilitate the transit of authorized
goods between these countries and to prevent unauthorized shipments. The agreement was not finalized during the forum;
ensuing discussions centered around the need for participants to agree upon
a common definition of "transit," and to coordinate control lists and
transit forms. Participants also cited the lack of national export
control regulations and the lack of financial and technical resources as
barriers to implementing such an agreement.
[Center for Nonproliferation Studies NIS
Representative Office Memo, 15 May 2001.]{Entered 6/18/2001 KB}
2/2/2001: US REVIEWS BORDER CONTROL PROGRAM IN KYRGYZSTAN A group of US experts headed by Kim Savit, the US
State Department's ambassador-at-large for security programs, visited
Kyrgyzstan from 31 January to 2 February to discuss the $5.49 million
US-Kyrgyzstani program to strengthen export controls and border security in
that country. The program is aimed at helping Kyrgyzstan fight
terrorism and the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction, conventional
weapons, and drugs. In 2000, the United States provided Kyrgyzstan with $2.99
million for equipment and training. [Kabar, 8
February 2001; in "US security experts discuss border security in
Kyrgyzstan," FBIS Document CEP20010208000327.]{Entered 5/16/2001 KB}
6/22/2000: MINATOM TO EQUIP KYRGYZSTAN'S BORDERS On 22 June 2000 the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy
and the Kyrgyzstani Ministry of Defense signed an agreement under which Russia will
rebuild Kyrgyzstan's border guard and control systems. Minatom enterprises, which
were instrumental in developing the original Soviet-era border
control system in Kyrgyzstan, will supply the equipment for
at least 350km of Kyrgyzstan's border at a cost of about 1.2 million rubles ($43,000 as of
22 June 2000) per kilometer. A group of
representatives from the United States was in Bishkek the same day to
present its version for strengthening Kyrgyzstan's border control
systems.[1] Kyrgyzstan will pay for the equipment by engaging in a trilateral venture in which Kazakhstani uranium slurry is to be processed by Kara-Balta
Ore Mining Combine for use in Russian nuclear power plants.[2] Equipment
to be provided by Minatom includes Vitim, Fara, and Gardina radar
systems.[3] Sources: [1] Lyudmila Romanova, Nezavisimaya gazeta, 23 June 2000, p. 5; in
"Russian Atomic Energy Ministry to 'Modernize' Kyrgyzstani
Border," FBIS Document CEP20000623000115. [2] Natalya Pereverten, "Moskva vozvrashchayetsya v Tsentralnuyu Aziyu,"
Nezavisimaya gazeta, 11 April 2001. [3] Vladimir Kucherenko, "Kirgiziya vstupayet v uranovyy proyekt s
Rossiyey," Rossiskaya gazeta, No. 242, 23
December 2000.{Entered 4/23/2001 KB}
12/4/98: CABINET TIGHTENS IMPORT/EXPORT CONTROL According to the Cabinet press service,
Prime Minister Kubanychbek Zhumaliyev signed a Cabinet ordinance tightening
export and import controls. The National Security and Internal Affairs
Ministries, the Customs Committee, the Prosecutor General's office, and the
tax inspectorate may deposit all of the confiscated proceeds from the sale
of contraband into their accounts, provided appropriate procedures have been
followed. These bodies may use the funds to purchase equipment or to
encourage citizens to report smuggling. The Criminal Code will be amended
and procedures and fees for the storage of confiscated goods will be revised.
The aim of the ordinance is to better prevent smuggling, encourage citizen
involvement in fighting it, protect the internal market, and provide incentives
for law enforcement agencies.
[Interfax, 4 December 1998, in "Kyrgyz
Cabinet Tightens Import, Export Controls," FBIS-SOV-98-338.] {Entered 3/28/00
LBB}
7/98: STATE CUSTOMS COMMITTEE INSPECTS
AOZT URAN In July 1998, the State Customs Committee
drafted a report to the Prime Minister stating that radioactive cargo transported
by the two affiliates of AO Kyrgyz Mining Kombinat--AOZT Uran and AOZT Molibden--had
not been subjected to export controls before shipment. In 1997, Uran processed
772,631kg of uranium ore from Kazakhstan and shipped 425,018kg of uranium
concentrate to Kazakhstan. The SCC suggested establishing a government commission
to analyze Uran's operations. Customs authorities are taking the necessary
steps to ensure that import and export control measures are properly observed
and that theft of uranium concentrate is prevented.
[Orozbek Moldaliyev, "New Developments
in Kyrgyzstan's Export Controls," Nonproliferation, Demilitarization, and
Arms Control, Fall 1998, p. 49.] {Entered LBB 5/17/00} 5/98: PROTOCOL SIGNED ON FISSILE
MATERIAL CONTROL In May 1998, the CIS Customs Authority
Council signed a protocol on cooperation to coordinate customs control of
fissile materials. Kyrgyzstan is a signatory.
[Orozbek Moldaliev, "New Developments
in Kyrgyzstan's Export Controls," Nonproliferation, Demilitarization, and
Arms Control, Fall 1998, p. 49.] {Entered LBB 5/17/00} 9/17/97: US OFFICIALS PREPARED TO
ASSIST KYRGYZ BORDER SECURITY Officials from the US Customs Service
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation met in Bishkek with representatives
from the Kyrgyz foreign, defense and national security ministries, and the
Prosecutor General's Office to discuss assistance for Kyrgyz border control.
The United States will give Kyrgyzstan financial aid to install detection
equipment at customs checkpoints to prevent passage of nuclear materials and
technologies. US officials will also set up special courses to train
Kyrgyz customs officials to check for materials and technology smuggling.
[Interfax, 17 September 1997; in "US
To Help Kyrgyzstan Prevent Export of Nuclear Technology," FBIS-TAC-97-260.]
[entered 1/29/98 djw]
10/2/96: KYRGYZSTAN’S BORDERS POSE
NO OBSTACLE According to press reports, Kyrgyzstani
Interior Minister Omurbek Kuttuyev told a UN delegation in Bishkek that Kyrgyzstan
has only one border post on its border with Kazakhstan and no tight border
with Tajikistan; the frontier between Tajikistan and Afghanistan is virtually
open. Ill-equipped Kyrgyzstani border patrols pose no serious obstacle to
smugglers on the numerous passes through the Pamir Mountains.
[Brian Killen, "Part of Ancient Silk
Road Is Now Opium Road," Washington Post online edition, http://www.washingtonpost.com/,
3 October 1996.] {Entered 10/4/96 GB}
9/11/96: CIS COUNTRIES' SPECIAL
SERVICES MET IN VISCULI The leaders of the security services
of CIS countries met in Visculi, Belarus, to discuss ways of cooperating to
combat organized crime and prevent the illegal circulation of drugs and arms
contraband. This was the fourth conference of CIS security services; other
meetings took place in Moscow in March 1995, Tbilisi in June 1995, and Dushanbe
in April 1996.
[Interfax, 11 September 1996, in "CIS Countries'
Special Services Discuss Cooperation," FBIS-SOV-96-177, 9/11/96.] {Entered
9/25/96 GB}
7/13/96: KYRGYZ CITIZENS SERVING
IN RUSSIAN BORDER TROOPS Russian President Yeltsin has vetoed
laws ratifying three bilateral agreements with Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and
Armenia that allow their citizens to serve in Russian Border Troop units stationed
at their territory. He charged that ratification documents include Duma statements
which amended the original agreements.
[OMRI Daily Digest, No. 135, Part I, 15 July 1996.]
7/6/96: KAZAKHSTAN, KYRGYZSTAN,
CHINA, AND PAKISTAN SIGN PROTOCOL These countries signed a protocol on
unified customs procedures for the transit of goods between the four countries.
[OMRI Daily Digest, No. 131, p. 1, 9 July 1996.]
7/4/96: AGREEMENT BETWEEN KYRGYZSTAN
AND CHINA CONCERNING MUTUAL BORDERS Kyrgyzstan and China signed agreements
on bilateral cooperation in customs and the demarcation of the mutual borders,
during a two-day visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin to Bishkek.
[Xinhua, 4 July 1996; in "Jiang Zemin Signs Border
Accord With Kyrgyzstan," FBIS-CHI-96-130; OMRI Daily Digest, No.130,
Part I, 8 July 1996.]
7/96: END OF US ARMS SALES BAN The US Department of State said that
restrictions on US arms sales to Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova,
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan would be ended. The six countries were removed
from the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations list in June.
[ATN, "News Briefs: State Ends Arms
Sales Ban on Former Soviet States," August-September 1996, p. 3] {Entered 12/13/96 GB}
5/17/96: DISCUSSION OF BORDER-RELATED
ISSUES The CIS Heads of State Council held
a routine meeting which included a discussion of the agreement on interaction
between the border troops of CIS states and the recent treaty signed by Belarus,
Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Russia on closer economic integration.
[Rossiyskiye vesti, 18 May 1996,
p. 7; in FBIS-SOV-96-099.]
5/6/96: PROTOCOL ON A FREE TRADE
REGIME Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed a
protocol on a free trade regime in Bishkek following the accession of the
Kyrgyz Republic to the Russian-Belarusian-Kazakhstani Customs Union on 29
March 1996. The protocol provides only for the control of drugs, weapons,
and dual-use commodities on the two states borders. On 24 May 1996, a ceremony
on removing customs control between the two states took place at the border
village Georgiyevka.
["Snyat tamozhennyy kontrol
na granitse Kazakhstana i Kyrgyzstana," Panorama, No.21, 31 May 1996, p. 5.]
4/26/96: MUTUAL AGREEMENT ON MILITARY
FORCES AT THE CHINESE BORDER Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
and China signed an agreement on mutual trust aimed at limiting military forces
at the Chinese borders of the CIS states in Shanghai. Land borders of Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with China cover 1,533 km, 858 km, and 414 km respectively.
These countries are known to be concerned about alleged encroachment by Chinese
settlers, smuggling, and other border-related issues.
[Bolot Kerimbayev, Kyrgyz News Digest, 4-12 March
1996, p. 2.]
3/29/96: AGREEMENTS ON CUSTOM UNION Kyrgyzstan acceded to agreements on
Customs Union dated 6 January 1995 and 20 January 1995 and to the decision
of the Intergovernmental Belarusian-Kazak-Russian Commission dated 22 November
1995 on the terms of formation of the Customs Union.
[Rossiyskaya gazeta, 13 May 1996, p. 7; in "Treaty With Kyrgyzstan
on Customs Union," FBIS-SOV-96-125-S.]
3/96: IMF REPRESENTATIVE COMMENTS
ON THE CUSTOMS UNION IMF Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan,
David Robinson, explained that entering the Customs Union with Russia, Kazakhstan,
and Belarus could prove deleterious for Kyrgyzstan, since the latter relies
on customs duties on products passing between these countries. Robinson concluded
that entering the union might demand revising Kyrgyzstan's relations with
the IMF.
["Chronicles," Kyrgyz News Digest, No. 9, 4-12 March
1996, p. 2.]
1/15/96: CONFISCATION OF RARE METAL Russian border guards confiscated 117
tons of rare metals on the borders of Kyrgyzstan.
[Collen Clark, Kyrgyz News Digest, 16 January 1996, p. 1]
1/11/96: ILLEGAL TRADE IN URANIUM The Kyrgyz police arrested a man who
possessed 6 grams of enriched uranium. The carrier reportedly intended to
sell the material for $500,000.
[Edil Baissaloff, Kyrgyz News Digest online edition, Kyrgyz American
School, edil@kas.bishkeke.su, 16 January 1996]
8/95: ALMATY WORKSHOP ON NUCLEAR
NONPROLIFERATION Representatives from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan,
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan convened in Almaty to attend a workshop
on nuclear nonproliferation and anti-smuggling efforts, sponsored by the US
Customs Service. Twelve participants attended the eight-day seminar.
["Nuclear Non-proliferation: US Customs
Service Training And Anti-Smuggling Efforts In The Newly Independent States,"
Department of the Treasury, United States Customs Service; Testimony Before
the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Committee on Government Affairs,
US Senate; Statement of Connie J. Fenchel, Chief -- Strategic Investigations
of the US Customs Service, 22 March 1996.]
7/95: US CUSTOMS AGENCY WORKSHOP The US Customs Agency spent 14 days
working with four high-ranking officials from the Kazakhstani and Kyrgyz customs
agencies in order to acquaint the officials with the methods and operations
of US customs. This technical exchange program included measures such as headquarter
briefings and field visits.
["Nuclear Non-proliferation: US Customs
Service Training And Anti-Smuggling Efforts In The Newly Independent States,"
Department of the Treasury, United States Customs Service; Testimony Before
the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Committee on Government Affairs,
US Senate; Statement of Connie J. Fenchel, Chief -- Strategic Investigations
of the US Customs Service, 22 March 1996.]