Message-ID: <v01550102b1bce0963c05@[193.10.14.51]> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 08:31:08 +0200 From: Natalie Pauwels <mailto:pauwels@SIPRI.SE> Subject: T.T. and security To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
Hello,I recently joined this list, so please forgive me if what I am going to write about seems completely off-the-mark.
My professional interest in the list is as fairly narrow in scope, although I am generally interested in following the discussion regardless of the topic.
I work at a peace research institute on a chemical and biological warfare project, and one key aspect of this is the problem of 'dual-use' goods. This was apparent in the negotiations of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and is re-surfacing in the current negotiations for a Protocol to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC). Many developing countries Party to the negotiations raise the very important point that problems of imposing severe trade restrictions on certain goods or agents which could be used for hostile purposes (i.e. production of biological weapons) can also restrict their development. This is because most technologies used in the production of weapons of this type are also applicable to peaceful endeavours: medical and prophylactic in particular.
The negotiations are stalling over this point, as it remains a contentious issue. Yet without a Protocol which sets out an acceptable monitoring and verification procedure, the BTWC is unenforcable and will continue to be a weak link in the international disarmament regime.
Technology transfer is certainly a key element in international development. However, precautions must be taken in order to avoid the spread of technologies which can be converted towards the manufacture of weapons and thereby undermining not only social and economic progress, but also international security.
********************************* Natalie Pauwels Research Assistant CBW Project SIPRI Froesunda S 169 70 Solna Sweden Phone: +46 8 655 97 32 Fax: +46 8 655 97 33 http://www.sipri.se/cbw/ *********************************