WASHINGTON: The United States on May 11 imposed sanctions for two years on the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Russian Space Research Organization Glavkosmos over the issue of the proposed sale of a Russian rocket engine to India.
State department spokesman Richard Boucher said the U.S. was continuing discussions with the Russian and Indian governments and was prepared to consider waiving the sanctions if the deal was cancelled,
Asked whether the sanctions would be extended after the two year period, Boucher said that this would depend on the situation then and he did not wish to speculate. The sanctions are the following: A two-year ban on all U.S. licenses for exports to the two entities, the Kosmos and the Indian space research organization.
Secondly, a two-year ban on all imports to the United States from these entities,
Thirdly, a two-year ban on U.S. government contracts with these entities,
Boucher made it clear that the U.S. does not want any foreign exports to India to enable it to lift 500 km payloads into space for a distance of more than 300 kms whether her aim is entirely peaceful, for telecommunications, or for military purposes.
He said the missile technology control regime (MTCR) made no distinctions between peaceful and non-peaceful uses, for the capability for one could be used for the other.
India has said the rocket technology it is importing from Russia is entirely for its peaceful space research program and not for making ballistic missiles.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 22, 1992
