"North Korea's missile development, production, deployment, and export
of missiles has continued largely outside the reach of the MTCR," the
report, titled "Proliferation Control Regimes: Background and Status," said.
"Reported North Korean exports of missile production technology to Iran,
Pakistan, Syria, and Egypt seriously undercut the international standards
and goals of the regime. In the view of some analysts, the activities of
North Korea demonstrate the failure of the MTCR and the necessity of other
measures."
The report, released in October, said MTCR blocked programs in
the 1980s by Egypt and Iraq, particularly that of the Condor ballistic
missile, meant to replace the Scud. But China, North Korea and Russia have
continued to transfer components and technology, including that of
long-range weapons systems, to Egypt.
"The major ongoing challenge, however, is that much of the international
commerce in missiles and missile technology occurs between nations that do
not adhere to MTCR guidelines," the report said. "China and North Korea are
not members, although China promised to observe the guidelines after the
United States had twice imposed economic sanctions on Chinese companies for
transferring missile items to Pakistan, on the condition that the United
States would lift those sanctions."
The report said MTCR would be jeopardized by the emergence of Iran and
other countries as missile suppliers. CRS said
missiles could be exported under the guise of space launch vehicles or
unmanned aerial vehicles.
"As some developing nations become increasingly capable of producing
missiles indigenously, the effectiveness of supplier controls may gradually
erode," the report said.
Congress has established economic sanctions on missile proliferators.
But the report pointed out that successive administrations have often waived
sanctions to gain other benefits.
For example, Washington has approved sales of tactical missiles of up to
250 kilometers to Turkey, which has been engaged in cooperation with China.
At the same time, the United States has offered missile defense systems and
technology to Middle East states.
"Air defense missiles and anti-theater ballistic missiles probably
enhance the security of U.S. allies, but none are expected to be 100 percent
effective," the report said. "In some cases, such as Taiwan, deployments
might increase tensions. The Obama administration and Congress will likely
continue to review defense and missile nonproliferation policy objectives in
this area."