E8-23575. Amendment to the International Arms Traffic in Arms Regulations: Eritrea

AGENCY:

Department of State.

ACTION:

Final Rule.

SUMMARY:

The Department of State is adding Eritrea to its regulations on prohibited exports and sales to certain countries as a result of its designation as a country not cooperating fully with antiterrorism efforts.

DATES:

This rule is effective October 3, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nicholas Memos, Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy, Department of State, Telephone [phone] or Fax [phone]; E-mail [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On May 14, the Deputy Secretary of State determined that six countries, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Venezuela, are not cooperating fully with anti-terrorism efforts (73 FR 29172). As a result of this determination, Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2781), prohibits the sale or licensing for export of defense articles and defense services to those countries effective October 1. This rule adds Eritrea to the list of countries identified in 22 CFR 126.1(a).

Regulatory Analysis and Notices

Administrative Procedure Act

This amendment involves a foreign affairs function of the United States and, therefore, is not subject to the procedures contained in 5 U.S.C. 553 and 554.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Since this amendment is not subject to the procedures in 5 U.S.C. 553, it does not require analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995

This amendment does not involve a mandate that will result in the expenditure by state, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

This amendment has been found not to be a major rule within the meaning of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

Executive Orders 12372 and 13132

This amendment will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this amendment does not have sufficient federalism implications to require consultations or warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do not apply to this amendment.

Executive Order 12866

This amendment is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866, but has been reviewed internally by the Department of State to ensure consistency with the purposes thereof.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This rule does not impose any new reporting or recordkeeping requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 126

• Arms and munitions
• Exports

Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, Title 22, Chapter I, Subchapter M, Part 126 is amended as follows:

PART 126—GENERAL POLICIES AND PROVISIONS

1. The authority citation for Part 126 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Secs. 2, 38, 40, 42 and 71, Pub. L. 90-629, 90 Stat. 744 (22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778, 2780, 2791 and 2797); E.O. 11958, 42 FR 4311; 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p.79; 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 U.S.C. 287c; E.O. 12918, 59 FR 28205; 3 CFR, 1994 Comp., p.899; Sec. 1225, Pub. L. 108-375.

2. Section 126.1 is amended by revising paragraph (a) as follows:

§ 126.1

Prohibited exports and sales to certain countries.

(a) General. It is the policy of the United States to deny licenses and other approvals for exports and imports of defense articles and defense services, destined for or originating in certain countries. This policy applies to Belarus, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela. This policy also applies to countries with respect to which the United States maintains an arms embargo (e.g., Burma, China, Liberia, and Sudan) or whenever an export would not otherwise be in furtherance of world peace and the security and foreign policy of the United States. Information regarding certain other embargoes appears elsewhere in this section. Comprehensive arms embargoes are normally the subject of a State Department notice published in the Federal Register. The exemptions provided in the regulations in this subchapter, except § 123.17 of this subchapter, do not apply with respect to articles originating in or for export to any proscribed countries, areas, or persons in this § 126.1.

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Dated: September 25, 2008.

John C. Rood,

Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Department of State.