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In 1997, the Latvian government issued the following
regulations to support the export control system.
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
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to view an unofficial translation of Regulation No. 421.
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
Click here
to view an unofficial translation of Regulation No. 429.
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.
[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.
[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.
[Girts Krumins, "Latvia," Worldwide
Guide to Export Controls, 1997/1998 ed., Update No.2 (London: Export
Control Publications, February 1998), pp. 1-4.]
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