Wassenaar Arrangement (Hansard, 23 July 1996)

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

After more than two years of negotiations, the Wassenaar Arrangement was102WA formally launched at a meeting of the thirty-three founding participating states on 11th-12th July 1996 in Vienna.

The purpose of the arrangement is to contribute to regional and international security and stability by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilising accumulations. Participating states will seek, through their national policies, to ensure that transfers of these items do not contribute to the development or enhancement of military capabilities which undermine these goals, and are not diverted to support such capabilities.

The arrangement will complement and reinforce existing control regimes for weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, by focusing on the threats to international and regional peace and security which may arise from transfers of conventional armaments and sensitive dual-use goods and technologies where the risks are judged greatest.

As part of the arrangement, participating states have agreed new control lists for military and dual-use goods and technologies. These are more focused than earlier lists on those goods and technologies which pose the greatest risk to international and regional peace and security. They are also shorter, thus benefiting British industry. A target date of 1st November 1996 has been set for the implementation of these new control lists.

Participating states will exchange, on a voluntary basis, information that will enhance transparency and will lead to discussions among all participating states on arms transfers, as well as on sensitive dual-use and technologies.

The Wassenaar Arrangement is based on political, not legal commitment. All measures taken will be in accordance with national legislation and policies and implemented at national discretion.

The arrangement will not be directed against any state or group of states and will not impede bona fide civil transactions. Nor will it interfere with the rights of states to acquire legitimate means with which to defend themselves, as recognised in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.

The Government welcome the establishment of the Wassenaar Arrangement as a further step towards increased regional and international security. The UK will continue to play a full and active role in the negotiations to develop the arrangement further and in line with British interests.

A copy of the "Initial Elements", which describe the operating procedures of the Wassenaar Arrangement, has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.