Article Abstract:
Fifty-two countries submitted data on their trade in non-nuclear arms to the UN Conventional Arms Register by mid-May 1993. Britain, China, France and the US, four of the five major arms exporters, have complied with the voluntary system established after the Gulf War by the UN General Assembly in 1991, with Russia to soon follow suit, but most Arab nations will not submit the required data. The UN Arms Register contains few details regarding trade, but is expected to encourage more openness in the arms market and prevent controversial deals.
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Article Abstract:
The twelve member countries of the European Union have sought to achieve a system of regulating the export of dual-use materials. However, the process has been delayed by contravening regulations with regards to exemptions from Common Market regulations. Defense-related goods are exempt from these regulations but goods which are intended for civilian applications are subject to EC rules. The problem has been compounded by the differences in the export control systems of member states, moreso with conventional arms exports.
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Article Abstract:
The former USSR was the world's largest arms exporter during its existence. The collapse of the USSR has resulted in the formation of several successor states, all of which view arms sales as a source of the hard currency which they currently lack. In addition, they plan to use profits from military sales to finance conversion of the military industries to civilian production. However, concerns have been raised about uncontrolled exports of conventional weapons and the threat they pose to world security.
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