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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release January 12, 1999

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

Trade Penalties Against Three Russian Entities

The U.S. Government has imposed trade penalties against three Russian entities for materially contributing to Iran's nuclear weapons and missile programs. These three entities are NIKIET (the Scientific Research and Design Institute of Power Technology), the D. Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology, and the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI). Based on existing authorities, including President Clinton's July 1998 Executive Order on weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the United States is banning exports to and imports from these entities, as well as U.S. Government procurement from and assistance to these entities. Relevant notices to this effect will appear shortly in the Federal Register.

The Clinton Administration is taking these actions as part of its ongoing, high-priority effort to combat the threat to U.S. forces, allies, and interests posed by Iran's aggressive pursuit of WMD and their delivery systems. These penalties apply only to the aforementioned entities, not to the Russian government or Russia as a whole. These steps complement the Russian government's efforts to enforce its laws and international commitments relating to nonproliferation and export controls.

The United States will continue to work with Russia to strengthen controls on such exports and to enforce compliance with the laws, policies, and international agreements on such transfers. The United States will continue to urge the Russian leadership to take aggressive steps to curtail the flow of sensitive technology to Iran from Russian entities in violation of the Russian government's laws and policies.

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