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United States ends sanctions against arms trader BelTechExport

The United States has not extended its sanctions against Belarusian arms trader BelTechExport.

The Belarusian company is on a list of entities that are no longer subject to US sanctions, which was published by the US Department of State on May 24.

On May 23, 2011, the United States imposed its sanctions on the Belarusian Optical Mechanical Association (BelOMO) and BelTechExport under its Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act. The sanctions were imposed because of "credible information indicating that they had transferred to or acquired from Iran, North Korea, or Syria equipment and technology listed on multilateral export control lists or otherwise having the potential to make a material contribution to weapons of mass destruction or cruise or ballistic missile systems."

The sanctions, which were to be effective for two years, meant that US government agencies were banned from buying any goods, services or technologies from the companies or providing any assistance to them.

BelTechExport representatives visited the United States this past April, holding talks with Department of State officials in charge of non-proliferation activities.

In 2011, BelTechExport was banned from doing business in the European Union because it was controlled by Belarusian businessman Uladzimir Peftsiyew, who is described by the bloc as Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s "chief economic advisor and key financial sponsor."

In 2012, the arms trader announced that it was no longer controlled by Mr. Peftsiyew. //BelaPAN