SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Tajikistan was added to the list of proscribed destinations at section 126.1(a) of the ITAR in the Federal Register publication of July 22, 1993 (58 FR 39312). The Department of State is amending the ITAR to reflect that it is no longer the policy of the United States to deny licenses, other approvals, exports and imports of defense articles and defense services, destined for or originating in Tajikistan. This action is being taken in the interests of foreign policy and national security pursuant to section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act. Requests for licenses or other approvals for Tajikistan involving items covered by the U.S. Munitions List (22 CFR part 121) will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Licenses and other approvals for Yugoslavia were suspended by the Federal Register notice of July 19, 1991 (58 FR 33322) and a denial policy was instituted for any new license applications and other requests for approval. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) was added to the list of proscribed destinations at section 126.1 of the ITAR in the Federal Register publication of July 12, 1996 (61 FR 36625). The United Nations Security Council instituted a comprehensive arms embargo on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on March 31, 1998 pursuant to U.N. Security Council Resolution No. 1160. The U.N. Security Council terminated that embargo in Resolution No. 1367 (September 10, 2001).

The Department of State is amending the ITAR to reflect that it is no longer the policy of the United States to deny licenses, other approvals, exports and imports of defense articles and defense services, destined for or originating in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). This action is being taken in the interests of foreign policy and national security pursuant to section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act. Requests for licenses or other approvals for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia involving items covered by the U.S. Munitions List (22 CFR part 121) will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The Department of State is also taking this opportunity to clarify two outdated references contained in section 126.1(a) of the ITAR. “Zaire” is currently listed as a proscribed country and is amended to “the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).” Also, the Department is deleting the last sentence of 126.1(a) which refers to a license exemption that was formerly contained in section 123.27. That exemption was removed from 123.27 effective July 1, 2000, and the last sentence of 126.1(a) should have been deleted at that time.

This amendment involves a foreign affairs function of the United States and, therefore, is not subject to the procedures required by 5 U.S.C. 553 and 554. It is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866 but has been reviewed internally by the Department to ensure consistency with the purposes thereof. This rule does not require analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act or the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. It has been found not to be a major rule within the meaning of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act of 1966. It will not have substantial direct effects on the States, the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 of Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant application of Executive Order Nos. 12372 and 13123. However, interested parties are invited to submit written comments to the Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Controls, ATTN: Regulatory ( printed page 1075) Change, removal of Tajikistan, 2401 E. Street, NW., 13th Floor, H1304, 2401 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037. Such persons must be so registered with the Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls (DTC) pursuant to the registration requirements of section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act.

Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, Title 22, Chapter I, Subchapter M, Part 126, is being amended as follows:

1. The authority citation for Part 126 reads as follows:

Authority: Secs. 2, 38, 40, 42, and 71, Pub. L. 90-629, 90 Stat. 744 (22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778, 2780, 2791, and 2797); 22 U.S.C. 2778; E.O. 11958, 42 FR 4311; 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 79; 22 U.S.C. 2658; 22 U.S.C. 287c; E.O. 12918, 59 FR 28205, 3 CFR, 1994 Comp., p. 899.

2. Section 126.1(a) is revised to read as follows: