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CIA chief cites Russia, China, North Korea as proliferators
AFP
March 20, 2002

Russia has emerged as the top-of-the-line supplier of advanced technology and training to countries seeking to develop weapons of mass destruction, CIA director George Tenet said.

Tenet also Tuesday singled out China and North Korea as proliferators of missile technology in wide-ranging testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee on threats facing the United States.

"Russia appears to be the first choice of proliferant states seeking the most advanced technology and training," he said.

Russian entities are providing other countries with technology and expertise applicable to chemical, biological and nuclear weapons as well as to ballistic missile and cruise missile projects, he said.

"The sales are a major source of funds for Russian commercial and defense industries and military research and development," he said.

Russia was supplying "significant assistance" to Iran on nearly all aspects of its nuclear fuel cycle as well as on its long range ballistic missile programs, he said.

China is a key supplier of missile technology to Pakistan, Iran and several other countries, he said.

Most of its efforts involve development of solid propellant ballistic missiles but it also has sold cruise missiles to Iran, he said.

"This is in spite of Beijing's November 2000 missile pledge not to assist in any way countries seeking to develop nuclear capable ballistic missiles," he said.

"We are closely watching Beijing's compliance with its bilateral commitment in 1996 not to assist unsafeguarded nuclear facilities, and its pledge in 1997 not to provide any new nuclear cooperation to Iran," he said.

North Korea continues to export complete ballistic missiles and production capabilities, he said.

Tenet said North Korea has abided by the terms of a 1994 Framework agreement that sought to freeze its nuclear weapons program.

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