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Updated August 2007
Missile Chronology
1992-1999
This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
Late 1991-Early 1992
The Air Force impedes an inventory of missile assets, while the Defense Ministry insists on complying with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 85.
7 February 1992
Defense Minister González states that the Cóndor II missile program will be inventoried before transfer to the National Space Activities Commission (CONAE). He denies a report that dismantling of the missile project will take place on 10 February 1992 under supervision of US inspectors, saying "there are no plans for destroying the Cóndor II missile now." González declares the plan is to transfer the project on 11 February 1992 to the CONAE, which will hire technical personnel and researchers to pursue "peaceful objectives."
—"Minister Denies Reports on Dismantling Cóndor II," Télam (Buenos Aires), 7 February 1992, cited in Proliferation Issues, 21 February 1992, p. 6.
11 February 1992
Defense Minister González formally transfers Falda del Carmen to the National Space Activities Commission (CONAE) in a secret ceremony.
—Martin Granovsky, Misión cumplida: La presión norteamericana sobre la Argentina, de Braden a Todman (Buenos Aires: Planeta, 1992), p. 332.
20 February 1992
US Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney presses for an end to the Cóndor during his visit to Buenos Aires, on a tour of five Latin American countries.
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 102; John Barham, "Cheney Urges Halt to Condor Missiles," Financial Times, 21 February 1992, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
17 March 1992
Terrorists bomb the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, killing 29 people. Some Argentine officials and journalists subsequently believe this attack may be retaliation for Argentina's failure to fulfill commitments to supply the Cóndor II and nuclear reactor technologies to Iran, Iraq, Libya, and/or Syria.
—Arnoldo Lamisovsky, Guillermo Francos, and Franco Caviglia, Projeyto de Resolución, Expediente 1656-D-00, (Buenos Aires: Cámara de Diputados de la Nación – República Argentina, 2000), <http://www.ardiputados.gov.ar>; Norberto Bermúdez and Carlos Torrengo, "Lo que no se investigó sobre los atentados (Parte I)"; "Lo que no se investigó sobre los atentados (Parte II)"; Julio Rajneri, "Río Negro va más lejos con la pista siria"; "Los acuerdos y compromisos secretos de Menem y los árabes"; and "El dominicano Nemen Nader habla desde Madrid: 'Menem recibió 40 millones de los países árabes en 1988'"; Río Negro, 11-13 January 2000, <http://www.rionegro.com.ar/amia/index.html>.
April 1992
Argentina begins discussions with Spain regarding disposition of Cóndor program assets. Argentine negotiators include González and Juan Ferreira Pinho of the Defense Ministry, Andrés Cisneros of the Chancellery, and Sahade, President of the National Space Activities Commission (CONAE).
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 86.
April 1992
A Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) mission travels to Argentina to assess its export control measures. The mission submits a report to the MTCR plenary in Oslo, but the plenary body does not extend membership at this time.
—Government of Argentina, "Argentina's Non Proliferation Policy, Report delivered by the Bureau of International Security, Nuclear, and Space Affairs, 1992," Arms Control Reporter, March 1993, 706.B.111.
9 April 1992
Decree 603/92 establishes a regime to control exports of sensitive materials.
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 93; "Argentina Introduces Tough Curbs on Technology Exports," Financial Times, 29 April 1992.
1 May 1992
Juliá announces the purchase of 40 Skyhawk A4M aircraft from the United States.
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 105.
June 1992
The Chancellery receives a delegation of scientists from the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA), of Spain. They seek an agreement for disposal of missile parts from Falda del Carmen.
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 86; "Cóndor II Missile Technology to Be 'Recycled'," Clarín (Buenos Aires), 2 June 1992, 4; in FBIS-LAT-92-107, 3 June 1992, pp. 22-23.
8 June 1992
An Argentine newsweekly reveals details from Barcelona and Villalonga's forthcoming book on the Cóndor program. They allege that two Cóndor II missiles were virtually completed, and are ready for launch and held by the Argentine Air Force in a secret arsenal. The revelation prompts a denial by the Defense Ministry, but the Foreign Ministry confirms that two Cóndor missiles are still armed and that it was not possible to dismantle them.
—"Content of New Book on Cóndor II Viewed," Somos (Buenos Aires), 8 June 1992, pp. 18-21, cited in Proliferation Issues, 10 July 1992, pp. 7-9.
July 1992
Argentine Defense Ministry sources say that Spain and Argentina may begin joint activities to reuse facilities at Falda del Carmen. They expect conclusion of a cooperation accord between Argentina's National Space Activities Commission (CONAE) and Spain's National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) during Defense Minister González' upcoming visit to Madrid on 30 July 1992, when he will meet with Spanish Defense Minister Julian Garcia Vargas.
—"Pact with Spain May Include Cóndor Missile Base," Noticias Argentinas (Buenos Aires), 28 July 1992, in Proliferation Issues, 20 August 1992, p. 8.
24 July 1992
The French Embassy in Buenos Aires notifies the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) members approved of Argentine Decree 603/92 and subsequent measures taken by the Argentine government. The MTCR expresses a desire to continue dialogue with Argentina.
—Government of Argentina, Bureau of International Security, "Argentina's Non-Proliferation Policy," 1992.
August 1992
The solid-fueled first stage of 14 Cóndor missiles remain in storage at Falda del Carmen, and a lesser number of missile guidance systems supplied by French firms remain unaccounted for. US officials speculate that the guidance systems may have been shipped to Iraq, or are hidden by Air Force advocates of the missile system. At this point, the Menem Administration has not developed a plan for their destruction and faces serious domestic political obstacles to doing so. Government officials are wary of exploding the missiles on site at Falda del Carmen. Given its proximity to Córdoba, such explosions would be heard by the city's one million residents, a political bastion of the opposition Radical Civic Union (UCR) party.
—Nathaniel C. Nash, "Argentina Lagging on Missile Pledge," New York Times, 19 August 1992, p. 7, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
September 1992
Spanish technicians reportedly visit the Cóndor II missile trials and construction installation in Falda del Carmen to acquire technology for the Spanish space program. Spain is reportedly interested in using Cóndor II solid-fuel and steerable nozzle systems in its National Institute of Aerospace Technology's (INTA) Capricornio launcher program.
—"Cóndor II Revival in Support of Spanish Space Program," International Defense Review, November 1992, 1062.
13 October 1992
US Ambassador Todman visits Foreign Minister Di Tella and requests that Argentina accelerate logistical aspects of dismantling the Cóndor project.
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 87.
November 1992
President Bush sends President Menem a note stating his confidence that a quick solution for destruction of the Cóndor will be found.
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 87.
November 1992
General Colin Powell travels to Argentina for meetings on Southern Cone defense issues.
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 103.
November 1992
President George Bush sends missile experts to Falda del Carmen installations to confirm Argentina's intentions to dismantle the Cóndor program.
—César Docampo, Desarrollo de vectores espaciales y tecnología misilística en Argentina: el Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: EURAL, 1993), p. 52.
November 1992
Nine former SNIA-BPD employees are cleared of all charges of illegally transferring missile technology to the Cóndor II project. Charges are dropped on the grounds that defendants' activities occurred before the Italian government implemented legislation on arms and military technology exports.
—Deborah A. Ozga, "A Chronology of the Missile Technology Control Regime," Nonproliferation Review, Winter 1994, p. 85; who cites a letter to Ozga from unidentified Italian government official, 2 June 1993.
4-7 November 1992
The Chancellery presents a note to the US Department of State reiterating its decision to adhere to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 93.
12-20 November 1992
Presidents Bush and Menem meet, and for the first time in their encounters the Cóndor II is not on the agenda. This milestone is the result of Menem's policy shift on the missile project.
—Daniel Santoro, Operación Cóndor II: la historia secreta del misil que desmanteló Menem (Buenos Aires: Ediciones Letra Buena, 1992), p. 59.
29 November 1992
The United States invites Argentina to attend an Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) meeting in Interlaken, Switzerland.
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 93.
Phase IV: Implementing Termination of the Cóndor, January 1993-October 1993
Part 2: Disposition of Falda del Carmen and Missile Components
1992-1993
Chancellery officials Fernando Petrela and Andrés Cisneros conduct negotiation with Spain regarding Cóndor disposition.
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 87.
1993
Decree 1903/93 authorizes export of specific parts of the Cóndor II to Spain. Argentine officials invite Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) member states to send representatives to examine shipment contents.
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 87.
10 January 1993
Argentina ships 41 containers of missile parts to Rota, Spain. These include 14 engines and 30 Cóndor II airframes that had been stored briefly at the Puerto Belgrano naval base in Bahia Blanca, Argentina.
—J. Olmo y Losada, "Cóndor II to Be Shipped to Spain for Dismantling," ABC (Madrid), 7 January 1993, p. 24, cited in Proliferation Issues, 15 January 1993, p. 13; Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 88.
29 January 1993
An Argentine ship arrives in Rota, Spain, with 14 missile engines, 17 airframes, 2 scale models, and other Cóndor II missile components. The parts are to be reshipped to an unidentified US port, and be destroyed in the United States.
—"Menem: Missile Parts Shipment to USA 'Planned'," EFE, 10 March 1993; in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 12 March 1993, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>; Nathaniel C. Nash, "Argentina Gives Missile Parts to U.S. for Disposal," New York Times, 7 March 1993, p. 9, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>; "Otro reclamo de EE.UU. por el Cóndor enfrenta a la Cancillería con Defensa," Clarín, 28 February 1993, p. 2.
February 1993
US Ambassador Todman unofficially gives Argentine officials a "non-paper" requesting the disposal of guidance computers and associated software for the Cóndor. Subsequently, two different copies of the "non-paper" begin circulating—one with two paragraphs deleted by the Foreign Ministry. The omitted text includes "gratitude for everything done to dismantle the Cóndor missile to this date [with] the firm purpose [of] concealing the bad handling of diplomatic relations with the United States."
—"Otro reclamo de EE.UU. por el Cóndor enfrenta a la Cancillería con Defensa," Clarín, 28 February 1993, p. 2; "Air Force Chief, U.S. Envoy View Issue," La Prensa (Buenos Aires), 6 March 1993, p. 4, cited in FBIS-LAT-93-044, 9 March 1993, p. 15.
13 February 1993
The United States signs a memorandum of understanding to allow Argentina to purchase advanced computer equipment, nuclear technology, and aeronautical guidance systems from the United States. A US official who asked not to be identified states, "Basically it shows that we think this country is reliable and responsible in handling the use of potentially dangerous technology." Argentina in turn agrees to controls over technology it purchases from the United States or develops indigenously.
—Nathaniel C. Nash, "Argentina Signs Technology Pact," New York Times, 13 February 1993, p. 4.
1 March 1993
US Ambassador to Argentina Todman holds a private, closed door meeting with Air Force Chief Jose Juliá. Todman inquires about "missing parts" for the Cóndor II missiles. Todman proclaims that everything requested to date is in the United States, with the exception of the "intelligent warhead" that was never sent to Spain. The ambassador outlines possibilities for destruction of the Falda del Carmen facility, which still includes sufficient infrastructure to restart the Cóndor program. Juliá claims that the project is now out of his jurisdiction, and that the Cóndor II never had a computerized guidance system. However, a high-ranking Air Force official states the Cóndor I was complete and President Menem himself activated it to test it. The official says the Cóndor II was never concluded because of lack of funds and that the "Cóndor project was a great fraud."
—"Air Force Chief, U.S. Envoy View Issue," La Prensa (Buenos Aires), 6 March 1993, p. 4, cited in FBIS-LAT-93-044, 9 March 1993, p. 15.
3 March 1993
The United States supports Argentina's application to become a full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
—Deborah A. Ozga, "A Chronology of the Missile Technology Control Regime," Nonproliferation Review, Winter 1994, p. 86
4 March 1993
Defense Minister Antonio Erman Gonzales states that "No one should be surprised by the non-existence of a 'smart' warhead, because one never existed....A 'smart' warhead was never discussed because such technology was never achieved [in Argentina]." The minister claimed to be "unaware" of any missile or missile components being sold following President Menem's decision to discontinue research. He added, "We actually preserved all those components that might technologically or scientifically be used for peaceful purposes." Gonzales states that missile parts shipped to Spain were sent to analyze "whether they can be used for scientific and peaceful purposes," but could not confirm whether any parts had been reshipped to the United States, as Spanish publications have claimed. Gonzales said that the entire Cóndor II shipment had been "duly controlled by Spanish experts" present at the time of loading.
—"Reportage on Existence of Cóndor II Warhead," Télam (Buenos Aires), 4 March 1993, cited in Proliferation Issues, 22 March 1993, p. 19.
12 March 1993
Radical Civic Union (UCR) deputies formally urge the Menem Administration to refuse alleged US demands to destroy the "solid fuel blending" and other equipment at Falda del Carmen. In a public communiqué, the opposition legislators declare, "The Argentine government must secure recognition of its right—stemming from its position as a sovereign nation—to the possession of a manufacturing plant for solid-fuel components, under international controls and safeguards guaranteeing that these will not be used for military purposes." While supporting Argentine entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the deputies insist that, "entry must be achieved without accepting the precondition of destroying our country's ability to possess components, and without requiring limitations which are incompatible with our country's sovereignty and add nothing to matters of international security."
—"UCR Want Condor Plant Saved," Noticias Argentinas, 10 March 1993, in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 12 March 1993, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
22 June 1993
Camilión reportedly reassures Radical Civic Union (UCR) legislators in a closed session of the Chamber of Deputies defense committee that Falda del Carmen will not be destroyed, but rather employed for alternative purposes that will sustain employment of civilian and military personnel formerly involved in the Cóndor II program.
—"Argentine Says Missile Program Will Not Be Completely Destroyed," AFP, 23 June 1993, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
August 1993
Inspectors of the UN Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM) discover three plants in Iraq that are identical to those at Falda del Carmen. They conclude that the Iraqi Badr-2000 ballistic missile program is a "technical derivation" of the Cóndor II, and find two rocket motors with serial numbers identical to those produced at Falda del Carmen. The Argentine Defense Ministry confirms that UN weapons inspectors discovered two Cóndor II missile engines, which had been produced at the Falda del Carmen factory, in Iraq, and that Argentina delivered Cóndor "elements" to Iraq via Egypt prior to the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War. The ministry also confirms that similar factories in Iraq and Egypt were identical twins of the Falda del Carmen plant that produced the engines found in Iraq. Defense Minister Oscar Camilión denies Argentine involvement in these plants, however, stating, "There has not been any transfer of Argentine technology to Iraq, as the technology in question was fundamentally German." Camilión also rejects reports of contractual agreements of expert collaboration between Argentina and Iraq, but confirms that German technicians had worked on the Cóndor II project. Egyptian technicians also worked with the Argentine experts on the Cóndor II project, but there is no confirmation that Iraqi technicians participated directly with the Argentines.
—Sergio Persoglia, "Proyecto Cóndor II: entre Falda del Carmen y Bagdad," Clarín, 28 February 1998; "UN Discovers More Evidence of Iraqi Links to Cóndor Missile Project," International Defense Review, November 1993, p. 842; "Government Admits War Technology May Have Reached Iraq," Inter Press Service, 30 August 1993, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
2 September 1993
The final shipment of Cóndor components, including launcher vehicles and guidance systems, are shipped to Spain for destruction.
—"'Last' Condor-2 Missile Parts to Go to Spain in October," EFE (Madrid), 2 September 1993; in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 4 September 1993, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
13 September 1993
Camilión declares that archives of the Cóndor II program will be made public, saying, "The Argentine public has the right to know what happened, what was done, who took part in it, and whether there was foreign aid."
—"Defense Minister Says Details of 'Condor-2' Project Will Soon Be Made Public," Noticias Argentinas, 14 September 1993; in BBS Summary of World Broadcasts, 15 September 1993, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
Mid-September 1993
The Argentine government finally acquires parts and components held by recalcitrant Air Force officers and ships them to Spain. These include two electronic guidance systems, three computers, launching equipment, and a tower. However, a sophisticated X-ray machine, a solid-fuel grinder, and a mixer still remain at Falda del Carmen, awaiting an assessment whether they can be converted for civilian use. La Nación reports that the fuel mixers at Falda del Carmen are of US manufacture. US officials insist these items must also be relinquished, but Defense Minister Camilión asserts that Cóndor dismantlement is "all finished."
—William R. Long, "Argentina Abolishes Missile Program with Iraq," Los Angeles Times, 26 September 1993, p. 15, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
25 September 1993
Authorities allow journalists to visit the 45 buildings—many of them underground—that comprise the Falda del Carmen complex, which had been built during 1981-1985 at an expense of $300 million. Falda del Carmen may be used in a project to construct the first scientific satellite to be built in Latin America, in collaboration with NASA.
—"Possible Use of Condor-2 Facilities to Develop Scientific Satellite," Noticias Argentinas, 25 September 1993; in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 27 September 1993, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
27 September 1993
Argentine officials send another shipment of important Cóndor components to Spain, including those related to guidance.
—Anabella Busso, Relaciones Argentina-Estados Unidos en los noventa: el caso Cóndor II (Buenos Aires: Edición CERIR, 1999), p. 88.
Phase V: Legacies and Post-Cóndor Aerospace Developments, November 1993-2001
16 November 1993
The New York Times reports that by terminating Argentina's Cóndor and "nuclear weapons program" and by supporting the Gulf War Coalition, President Carlos Menem has "made Argentina the closest ally in South America to the United States."
—Nathaniel C. Nash, "Argentine President Clears Hurdle to Second Term," New York Times, 16 November 1993, p. A8, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
November 1993
Argentina becomes a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
—Deborah A. Ozga, "A Chronology of the Missile Technology Control Regime," Nonproliferation Review, Winter 1994, p. 86.
1994
Argentina's National Space Plan 1995-2006 and Decree 2076/94 declare that space development activities are a national scientific-technical priority.
—Conrado F. Varotto, "Argentina y Brasil en la Actividad Espacial," paper prepared for "Seminário Brasil - Argentina," (Rio de Janeiro: Instituto de Pesquisa de Relações Internacionais, Ministério das Relações Exteriores), 20-21 November 1997.
July 1994
The Ministry of Defense and Lockheed Martin reach a contract to refurbish A-4 aircraft at the Fábrica Militar in Córdoba, for the period July 1994-June 2000.
—Ministerio de Defensa, República Argentina, "Contrato 2 entre Ministerio de Defensa y Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina SA," undated.
18 July 1994
Terrorists bomb a Jewish community center, the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA), in downtown Buenos Aires, killing 86 people. Some Argentine officials and journalists subsequently believe that this attack may be retaliation for Argentina's failure to fulfill commitments to supply the Cóndor II and nuclear reactor technologies to Iran, Iraq, Libya, and/or Syria.
—Arnoldo Lamisovsky, Guillermo Francos, and Franco Caviglia, Projecto de Resolución, Expediente 1656-D-00, (Buenos Aires: Cámara de Diputados de la Nación – República Argentina, 2000), <http://www.ardiputados.gov.ar>; Norberto Bermúdez and Carlos Torrengo, "Lo que no se investigó sobre los atentados (Parte I);" "Lo que no se investigó sobre los atentados (Parte II);" Julio Rajneri, "Río Negro va más lejos con la pista siria;" "Los acuerdos y compromisos secretos de Menem y los árabes;" and "El dominicano Nemen Nader habla desde Madrid: 'Menem recibió 40 millones de los países árabes en 1988';" Río Negro, 11-13 January 2000, <http://www.rionegro.com.ar/amia/index.html>.
1996
Decree 1662/96 places the National Space Activities Commission (CONAE) under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Exterior Relations and alters the space agency's organizational structure.
—Conrado F. Varotto, "Argentina y Brasil en la Actividad Espacial," paper prepared for "Seminário Brasil - Argentina," (Rio de Janeiro: Instituto de Pesquisa de Relações Internacionais, Ministério das Relações Exteriores), 20-21 November 1997.
9 April 1996
Argentine President Menem and Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso sign cooperation accords in Buenos Aires, which include agreement on peaceful uses of space science and technology. This "Framework Agreement on the Cooperation on Peaceful Applications of Space Science and Technology" is a product of the Argentine-Brazilian Joint Working Group on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The agreement identifies several areas for cooperation, including cooperation in space science and technology, evaluation and monitoring of the environment and ground resources for remote sensing and other space applications, the development of joint satellite missions, methods of access to space, and launching services.
—Maria Izabel Mallmann and Vera Seitenfus, "Cronologia do Mercosul 1985-1999," (Centro Brasileiro de Documentação e Estudos da Bacia do Prata, CEDEP/UFRGS), undated; Conrado F. Varotto, "Argentina y Brasil en la Actividad Espacial," paper prepared for "Seminário Brasil - Argentina," (Rio de Janeiro: Instituto de Pesquisa de Relações Internacionais, Ministério das Relações Exteriores), 20-21 November 1997.
30 April 1996
President Menem announces that his government will declassify all decrees related to foreign arms exports signed since 1983.
—"Argentina: Secrecy Lifted on Decrees Related to Arms Sales," Télam (Buenos Aires), 30 April 1996, in FBIS-LAT-96-086, 30 April 1996.
29 August 1996
A Russian launcher places the Argentine micro-satellite uSAT-1 in orbit. The $1.1 million photographic satellite was built at the Córdoba aeronautics institute by 20 engineers, most of whom were formerly involved in the Cóndor program.
—Marcela Valente, "Argentina Launches Its First Satellite," Inter Press Service, 29 August 1996, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
4 November 1996
NASA launches the SAC-B satellite, the first of the Argentine SAC series, for research on solar physics and astrophysics. Although the satellite reaches orbit and functions as planned, a power failure in the third stage of NASA's Pegasus-XL launcher renders the satellite useless after only a few orbits.
—"Environment, Science, and Technology Section," U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, undated; "Información sobre el SAC-B: Lanzamiento y final de la mission," December 1996, <http://www.conae.gov.ar/sac-b/estado.html>.
1997
In accord with Decree 176/97, Argentina's revised National Space Plan 1997-2008 identifies access to space and launching services as a principle objective.
—Conrado F. Varotto, "Argentina y Brasil en la Actividad Espacial," paper prepared for "Seminário Brasil - Argentina," (Rio de Janeiro: Instituto de Pesquisa de Relações Internacionais, Ministério das Relações Exteriores), 20-21 November 1997, p. 2.
10 March 1997
National Space Activities Commission (CONAE) President Conrado Varotto announces that Argentina and Brazil are considering a joint project for a satellite launch vehicle. Such a "Mercosur rocket" would focus on regional needs for the launch of small- and medium-size satellites to low and medium orbits, and would be capable of launching a 1,000kg payload up to 1,000km. It would be coupled with a "Mercosur satellite" program designed to address environmental and agricultural needs unmet by Landsat or other existing systems.
—Daniel Arias, "Cohetes para el Mercosur," Clarín, 10 March 1997, <http://www.clarin.com.ar>.
27 June 1997
Domingo Cavallo's book recounting his experiences in the Menem administration provides a detailed exposé of governmental corruption in Argentina, including the allegation that Menem's 1988 campaign received funds in exchange for a promise to supply the Cóndor II to Libya. This charge was initially made by the former treasurer of the Peronist Party's electoral campaign, Mario Rotundo, who supported Menem's successful campaign to win the party nomination in 1988.
—Domingo Cavallo, El peso de la verdad: un impulso a la transparencia en la Argentina de los 90 (Buenos Aires: Planeta, 1997), pp. 19-21; Gabriel Pasquini, "Los costos de la democracia: el peso de la política," La Nación, 24 September 1997, <http://www.lanacion.com.ar/suples/enfoques/970924/en-01.htm>.
15 September 1997
Chancellor Di Tella inaugurates National Space Activities Commission's (CONAE) Ground Station Terrena Teófilo Tabanera at Falda del Carmen, which will receive high-resolution satellite images of Argentina. It is the third such facility in Latin America, and will enable Argentina to end its dependence on the Brazilian facility it has relied upon since the Air Force's facility in Mar Chiquita ceased functioning in the 1980s.
—Maximiliano Seitz and Germán Sopeña, "En Córdoba, una ventana al espacio," La Nación, 6 September 1997, <http://www.lanacion.com.ar>; "Inspeccionó Di Tella el montaje de aviones A-4," La Nación, 16 September 1997, <http://www.lanacion.com.ar>.
31 November 1997
Commenting on Brazil's planned space launch vehicle (VLS) launch, former President Alfonsín publicly criticizes Menem's termination of the Cóndor program as a "useless, anti-Argentine, and unnecessary gesture" taken to satisfy US demands. In response, Vice-chancellor Andrés Cisneros declares, "the construction of the Cóndor was a clandestine operation initiated during the military government and continued by [Alfonsín], which was neither subject to control nor to international safeguards and which, in the name of sovereignty, situated the country among proliferant nations." He states that Brazil "today possesses its own launcher because, unlike the former Argentine government [of Alfonsín], it did things correctly" and in accord with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
—"Estalla polémica por el misil Cóndor," La Tercera, 31 October 1997, <http://www.tercera.cl>.
9 December 1998
Vice-Chancellor Cisneros and National Space Activities Commission (CONAE) President Varotto announce that Argentina plans to develop a space launch vehicle, the New Generation Space Vehicle (VENG), to be first launched in 2003. The VENG will place civilian communications and observation satellites in orbit and will be developed in conformity with Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) guidelines. Varotto estimates that $60-70 million of government funds will be necessary to realize the project within four years, with the bulk of project financing to be raised through private capitalization of launch services.
—Daniel Santoro, "Con luz verde de los EEUU, el gobierno construirá un cohete," Clarín, 9 December 1998, <http://www.clarin.com.ar/diario/98-12-09/t-01201d.htm>.
17 December 1998
Britain relaxes its arms embargo on Argentina, which dates to the Falkland/Malvinas war in 1982. Sales of equipment that could put the disputed territory at risk are still banned.
—"Britain Eases Post-Falklands Arms Embargo Against Argentina," Reuters cited in New York Times, 18 December 1998, p. 11.
1999
Decree 1330/99 approves National Space Plan 1997-2008, which commits National Space Activities Commission (CONAE) to "associated and priority" efforts with Brazil in examining the economic and technical prospects for developing a new generation vehicle for satellite launching (i.e., the VENG).
—Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (CONAE), Plan Espacial Nacional "Argentina en el Espacio,1995-2006," undated, <http://www.conae.gov.ar/plan/planespacialc.html>.
16 September 1999
Robert Walpole, who as an intelligence analyst in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research in the Department of State and subsequently Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense and Arms Control had closely followed the Cóndor II program, identifies its termination as a case where US nonproliferation efforts and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) "worked extremely well and put a stop to the program." Walpole contrasts the Cóndor II with contemporary North Korean ballistic missiles, stating that had the Cóndor been "completed to fruition, it would have made the No Dong and the Taepo Dong-I look like toys–it would have been a much better system."
—Robert Walpole, "Foreign Missile Developments and the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States Through 2015," testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, <http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/congress/1999_h/s106-339-8.htm>.
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