U.S. sanctions Chinese firm for missile aid to Pakistan
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, September 4, 2001
WASHINGTON Ñ The United States has decided to impose sanctions on
China for continued missile technology transfer to Pakistan.
The State Department said the China Metallurgical Equipment Corp. would
be banned from dealing with the U.S. government or companies. China
Metallurgical was cited for transferring missile technology to Pakistan over
the last year despite a pledge by Beijing to end exports barred under the
Missile Technology Control Regime.
The technology, officials said, would allow Pakistani missiles to
contain nuclear warheads. China Metallurgical transferred the technology to
the National Development Complex of Pakistan. A formal announcement of
sanctions is expected this week and would ban U.S. companies from issuing
licenses to launch satellites on Chinese rockets or provide technology to
China's satellite industry.
Officials said the Bush administration decided to impose sanctions after
talks last month in Beijing failed. The Pakistani organization will also
face sanctions, the officials said.
China Metallurgical is also said to be under contract to Middle East
countries. They include providing help to the missile programs of Iran and
Syria. The company has denied the U.S. accusation.
At the same time, the Pentagon announced the successful test of a
booster rocket meant for the new U.S. missile defense umbrella. The rocket
was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on early Friday in
its first test.
The next test of the missile defense system is scheduled for October.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has recruited independent researchers to help
develop the system.
Last month, New Mexico State University obtained a contract for
research, development and engineering support in the areas of information
operations vulnerability/survivability assessments, air and missile defense
systems service analysis. The contract was part of a $180 million project
over five years.
Monday, September 4, 2001
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