U.S. moves to lift sanctions on Russian institutes

WASHINGTON -- The United States plans to lift sanctions from two Russian institutes determined to have helped Iran's strategic missile programs.

Officials said the U.S. decision came after the Russian institutes were found to have changed their policy and are no longer cooperating with Iran's missile programs.

The Clinton administration will lift sanctions imposed in July 1998 on INOR Scientific Center and Polyus Scientific Production Association. The two institutes were sanctioned for providing expertise to develop major subsystems of the Shihab-3 missile, with a range of 1,300 kilometers.

State Department spokesman James Rubin said on Monday that the two institutes "ceased the proliferant behavior that led to the imposition of these penalties." He did not elaborate.

"The United States will continue to urge the Russian leadership to strengthen implementation of controls on exports to Iran and to enforce compliance with Russia's laws, policies, and international understandings on such transfers," Rubin said.

Restrictions against another eight Russian institutes sanctioned in July 1998 and the following January will remain, officials said. This includes the Baltic State Technical University, which was determined to have trained Iranian students in missile technology.

The rector of the university, Yuri Savel'ev, would be banned from engaging in any business with the United States, officials said. Earlier this month, Russia's education minister suspended the rector.

U.S. officials said the rector was involved in the transfer of equipment and technology for the development of missiles capable of carrying nonconventional warheads. "The United States now also will move to impose a ban on U.S. government assistance to and procurement from the rector of BSTU and proceed to impose a ban on imports from and U.S. exports to this person," Rubin said.