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28272350
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9605502 [Congress and Russia]
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28272350
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document
title
9605502 [Congress and Russia]
citationUrl
collections
Records of the National Security Council Records Management Office (Clinton Administration)
NSC (National Security Council) Records Management System
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Case Number: 2015-0183-S
MR
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the Clinton Presidential
Library Staff.
Original OA/ID Number:
2342
Document ID:
9605502
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
Stack:
46
3
5
2
V
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9605502
NSC/RMO PROFILE
RECEIVED: 08 AUG 96 15
TO: MCCONNELL, MITCH
ET AL
CHRON FILE
FROM: PRESIDENT
DOC DATE: 04 SEP 96
SOURCE REF:
KEYWORDS: RUSSIA
IMPORT CONTROLS
LEGAL ISSUES
CO
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: REPLY RE VOLUNTARY RESTRAINT AGREEMENT / VRA W/ RUSSIA
ACTION: FOR DISPATCH
DUE DATE: 12 AUG 96 STATUS: C
STAFF OFFICER: PASCUAL
LOGREF:
FILES: WH
NSCP:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
FOR INFO
DANVERS
KRECZKO
NSC CHRON
PASCUAL
PIFER
WALSH
COMMENTS:
DISPATCHED BY Dos
DATE 9-11-96
BY
HAND
W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSTMH
CLOSED BY: NSDRS
DOC 5 OF 5
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9605502
ACTION DATA SUMMARY REPORT
DOC ACTION OFFICER
CAO ASSIGNED ACTION REQUIRED
001 LEE
Z 96080815 PREPARE MEMO FOR LAKE
001
Z 96080909 ACTION TRANSFERRED
001 PASCUAL
Z 96080909 PREPARE MEMO FOR LAKE
002 BERGER
Z 96082014 FOR SIGNATURE
003 BERGER
Z 96082017 FWD TO PRESIDENT FOR SIG
004 PRESIDENT
Z 96090514 FOR SIGNATURE
005
X 96091110 PRESIDENT SGD LTRS
005 WH STRIPPING DESK
X 96091110 FOR DISPATCH
DISPATCH DATA SUMMARY REPORT
DOC DATE
DISPATCH FOR ACTION
DISPATCH FOR INFO
004 960905
VICE PRESIDENT
004 960905
WH CHIEF OF STAFF
005
960904
MCCONNELL, MITCH
STATE
005 960904 CRAIG, LARRY E
CIA
005 960904 GRAMS, ROD
DEFENSE
005 960904 HELMS, JESSE A
005 960904 KEMPTHORNE, DIRK
005 960904 MURKOWSKI, FRANK H
005
960904
SHELBY, RICHARD C
005
960904 WH STRIPPING DESK
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9605502
NSC/RMO PROFILE
RECEIVED: 08 AUG 96 15
TO: PRESIDENT
FROM: MCCONNELL, MITCH
DOC DATE: 02 AUG 96
KEMPTHORNE, DIRK
SOURCE REF:
HELMS, JESSE A
KEYWORDS: IMPORT CONTROLS
RUSSIA
LEGAL ISSUES
CO
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: VRA AGREEMENT W/ RUSSIA & ASKING PRES TO STOP ITS USE RE GUN CONTROL
OBJECTIVES & IMPORT LAWS
ACTION: PREPARE MEMO FOR LAKE
DUE DATE: 12 AUG 96 STATUS: S
STAFF OFFICER: LEE
LOGREF:
FILES: WH
NSCP:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
FOR INFO
LEE
DANVERS
ANDREASEN
HESLIN
BELL
Carlos Pascual
KRECZKO
HARMON
PIFER
JONES, K
KYLE
LORIN
REZNIK
SCHWARTZ
SENS
SESTAK
VERSHBOW
COMMENTS: action belongs to Russia
DISPATCHED BY
DATE
BY HAND W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSTMH
CLOSED BY:
DOC 1 OF 1
UNCLASSIFIED
National Security Council
The White House
LOG # 5502
PROOFED BY:
URGENT NOT PROOFED:
SYSTEM PRS NSC INT ARS
BYPASSED WW DESK:
DOCLOG TMH A/O
SEQUENCE TO
INITIAL/DATE
DISPOSITION
Harmon
I
Jr
Dohse
Sens
Soderberg
Berger
Lake
Situation Room
West Wing Desk
7
me 9/11
A
Records Mgt.
8
ORS 9/11
DX
A = Action
I = Information
D = Dispatch
R = Retain
N = No Further Action
CC:
COMMENTS:
?
Date Sep 4, 1996
Exec Sec Office has diskette
National Security Council
The White House
3Pm
PROOFED BY:
LOG # 5502
URGENT NOT PROOFED:
SYSTEM PRS NSC INT ARS
BYPASSED WW DESK:
DOCLOG IA A/O
SEQUENCE TO
INITIAL/DATE
DISPOSITION
KS
Harmon
|
$
Dohse
Sens
Soderberg
Berger
2
M Nat! Sec Advisor
Lake
M
has seen
Situation Room
NathSea Advisor
West Wing Desk
4
Desc
23 soen
Dwalkr
X
Records Mgt
5
TmH9.5
D Stern
A = Action
I = Information
D = Dispatch
R = Retain
N = No Further Action
CC:
COMMENTS:
Exec Sec Office has diskette of
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
96 SEP 3 P8: 58
September 3, 1996
To:
Todd Stern
From:
Andrew D. Sens Ufa
Please review the attached package #5502
"Congression lette on Voluntary
Restraint Agreement on Russian Gun
Imports" and give your comments
/concurrence as soon as possible.
Thank you.
EK
TOD?
:
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 4, 1996
Dear Senator McConnell:
Thank you for your letter concerning the Voluntary Restraint
Agreement (VRA) between the United States and Russia on gun
exports to the United States.
This agreement was negotiated as part of a process of eliminating
anachronistic Cold War restrictions on Russian trade with the
United States. Last year, Russia joined 26 other countries to
establish the Wassenaar Arrangement, a new multilateral export
control regime for arms and sensitive dual-use technologies.
Russia's decision allowed the United States to remove Russia from
the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) list, which
in effect precluded imports of Russian firearms.
Before we lifted the ITAR restrictions, Russia agreed to
negotiate voluntary restraints on firearm exports that could pose
a threat from abroad to domestic safety. The VRA negotiated with
Russia allows us to import firearms that are collectors' items or
have a sporting or hunting purpose. Import restrictions apply to
guns especially attractive to criminals: inexpensive, easily
concealable handguns and military-style semi-automatic weapons
that are easily converted into machine guns. We are now
implementing similar arrangements with other countries to address
imports of these types of weapons, which pose the biggest threat
to our law enforcement officials.
Fighting crime will remain one of my Administration's highest
priorities. The actions we have taken ensure that our foreign
policy effectively integrates sound international commercial
practice with domestic safety concerns.
Sincerely,
Bin Crinton
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-1702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 4, 1996
Dear Senator Craig:
Thank you for your letter concerning the Voluntary Restraint
Agreement (VRA) between the United States and Russia on gun
exports to the United States.
This agreement was negotiated as part of a process of eliminating
anachronistic Cold War restrictions on Russian trade with the
United States. Last year, Russia joined 26 other countries to
establish the Wassenaar Arrangement, a new multilateral export
control regime for arms and sensitive dual-use technologies.
Russia's decision allowed the United States to remove Russia from
the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) list, which
in effect precluded imports of Russian firearms.
Before we lifted the ITAR restrictions, Russia agreed to
negotiate voluntary restraints on firearm exports that could pose
a threat from abroad to domestic safety. The VRA negotiated with
Russia allows us to import firearms that are collectors' items or
have a sporting or hunting purpose. Import restrictions apply to
guns especially attractive to criminals: inexpensive, easily
concealable handguns and military-style semi-automatic weapons
that are easily converted into machine guns. We are now
implementing similar arrangements with other countries to address
imports of these types of weapons, which pose the biggest threat
to our law enforcement officials.
Fighting crime will remain one of my Administration's highest
priorities. The actions we have taken ensure that our foreign
policy effectively integrates sound international commercial
practice with domestic safety concerns.
Sincerely,
Bin Crinton
The Honorable Larry E. Craig
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-1203
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 4, 1996
Dear Senator Grams:
Thank you for your letter concerning the Voluntary Restraint
Agreement (VRA) between the United States and Russia on gun
exports to the United States.
This agreement was negotiated as part of a process of eliminating
anachronistic Cold War restrictions on Russian trade with the
United States. Last year, Russia joined 26 other countries to
establish the Wassenaar Arrangement, a new multilateral export
control regime for arms and sensitive dual-use technologies.
Russia's decision allowed the United States to remove Russia from
the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) list, which
in effect precluded imports of Russian firearms.
Before we lifted the ITAR restrictions, Russia agreed to
negotiate voluntary restraints on firearm exports that could pose
a threat from abroad to domestic safety. The VRA negotiated with
Russia allows us to import firearms that are collectors' items or
have a sporting or hunting purpose. Import restrictions apply to
guns especially attractive to criminals: inexpensive, easily
concealable handguns and military-style semi-automatic weapons
that are easily converted into machine guns. We are now
implementing similar arrangements with other countries to address
imports of these types of weapons, which pose the biggest threat
to our law enforcement officials.
Fighting crime will remain one of my Administration's highest
priorities. The actions we have taken ensure that our foreign
policy effectively integrates sound international commercial
practice with domestic safety concerns.
Sincerely,
Bin Crinton
The Honorable Rod Grams
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-5002
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 4, 1996
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Thank you for your letter concerning the Voluntary Restraint
Agreement (VRA) between the United States and Russia on gun
exports to the United States.
This agreement was negotiated as part of a process of eliminating
anachronistic Cold War restrictions on Russian trade with the
United States. Last year, Russia joined 26 other countries to
establish the Wassenaar Arrangement, a new multilateral export
control regime for arms and sensitive dual-use technologies.
Russia's decision allowed the United States to remove Russia from
the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) list, which
in effect precluded imports of Russian firearms.
Before we lifted the ITAR restrictions, Russia agreed to
negotiate voluntary restraints on firearm exports that could pose
a threat from abroad to domestic safety. The VRA negotiated with
Russia allows us to import firearms that are collectors' items or
have a sporting or hunting purpose. Import restrictions apply to
guns especially attractive to criminals: inexpensive, easily
concealable handguns and military-style semi-automatic weapons
that are easily converted into machine guns. We are now
implementing similar arrangements with other countries to address
imports of these types of weapons, which pose the biggest threat
to our law enforcement officials.
Fighting crime will remain one of my Administration's highest
priorities. The actions we have taken ensure that our foreign
policy effectively integrates sound international commercial
practice with domestic safety concerns.
Sincerely,
Biu Crinton
The Honorable Jesse Helms
Chairman
Committee on Foreign Relations
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-3301
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 4, 1996
Dear Senator Kempthorne:
Thank you for your letter concerning the Voluntary Restraint
Agreement (VRA) between the United States and Russia on gun
exports to the United States.
This agreement was negotiated as part of a process of eliminating
anachronistic Cold War restrictions on Russian trade with the
United States. Last year, Russia joined 26 other countries to
establish the Wassenaar Arrangement, a new multilateral export
control regime for arms and sensitive dual-use technologies.
Russia's decision allowed the United States to remove Russia from
the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) list, which
in effect precluded imports of Russian firearms.
Before we lifted the ITAR restrictions, Russia agreed to
negotiate voluntary restraints on firearm exports that could pose
a threat from abroad to domestic safety. The VRA negotiated with
Russia allows us to import firearms that are collectors' items or
have a sporting or hunting purpose. Import restrictions apply to
guns especially attractive to criminals: inexpensive, easily
concealable handguns and military-style semi-automatic weapons
that are easily converted into machine guns. We are now
implementing similar arrangements with other countries to address
imports of these types of weapons, which pose the biggest threat
to our law enforcement officials.
Fighting crime will remain one of my Administration's highest
priorities. The actions we have taken ensure that our foreign
policy effectively integrates sound international commercial
practice with domestic safety concerns.
Sincerely,
Bin Crinton
The Honorable Dirk Kempthorne
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-1204
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 4, 1996
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Thank you for your letter concerning the Voluntary Restraint
Agreement (VRA) between the United States and Russia on gun
exports to the United States.
This agreement was negotiated as part of a process of eliminating
anachronistic Cold War restrictions on Russian trade with the
United States. Last year, Russia joined 26 other countries to
establish the Wassenaar Arrangement, a new multilateral export
control regime for arms and sensitive dual-use technologies.
Russia's decision allowed the United States to remove Russia from
the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) list, which
in effect precluded imports of Russian firearms.
Before we lifted the ITAR restrictions, Russia agreed to
negotiate voluntary restraints on firearm exports that could pose
a threat from abroad to domestic safety. The VRA negotiated with
Russia allows us to import firearms that are collectors' items or
have a sporting or hunting purpose. Import restrictions apply to
guns especially attractive to criminals: inexpensive, easily
concealable handguns and military-style semi-automatic weapons
that are easily converted into machine guns. We are now
implementing similar arrangements with other countries to address
imports of these types of weapons, which pose the biggest threat
to our law enforcement officials.
Fighting crime will remain one of my Administration's highest
priorities. The actions we have taken ensure that our foreign
policy effectively integrates sound international commercial
practice with domestic safety concerns.
Sincerely,
Bin Crinton
The Honorable Frank H. Murkowski
Chairman
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-0202
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 4, 1996
Dear Richard:
Thank you for your letter concerning the Voluntary Restraint
Agreement (VRA) between the United States and Russia on gun
exports to the United States.
This agreement was negotiated as part of a process of eliminating
anachronistic Cold War restrictions on Russian trade with the
United States. Last year, Russia joined 26 other countries to
establish the Wassenaar Arrangement, a new multilateral export
control regime for arms and sensitive dual-use technologies.
Russia's decision allowed the United States to remove Russia from
the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) list, which
in effect precluded imports of Russian firearms.
Before we lifted the ITAR restrictions, Russia agreed to
negotiate voluntary restraints on firearm exports that could pose
a threat from abroad to domestic safety. The VRA negotiated with
Russia allows us to import firearms that are collectors' items or
have a sporting or hunting purpose. Import restrictions apply to
guns especially attractive to criminals: inexpensive, easily
concealable handguns and military-style semi-automatic weapons
that are easily converted into machine guns. We are now
implementing similar arrangements with other countries to address
imports of these types of weapons, which pose the biggest threat
to our law enforcement officials.
Fighting crime will remain one of my Administration's highest
priorities. The actions we have taken ensure that our foreign
policy effectively integrates sound international commercial
practice with domestic safety concerns.
Sincerely,
Bin
The Honorable Richard C. Shelby
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-3102
FRANK H. MURKOWSKI
222 WEST 7TH AVENUE. Box 1
ANCHORAGE, AK 99513-7570
ALASKA
(907) 271-3735
COMMITTEES:
101 12TH AVENUE, Box 7
FAIRBANKS. AK 99701-6278
CHAIRMAN
United States Senate
(907) 456-0233
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
P.O. Box 21647
FINANCE
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0202
JUNEAU. AK 99802-1647
VETERANS' AFFAIRS
(907) 586-7400
(202) 224-6665
INDIAN AFFAIRS
96 AUG 5 P4: 57
130 TRADING BAY ROAD. SUITE 350
KENAI, AK 99611-7716
(907) 283-5808
August 2, 1996
109 MAIN STREET
KETCHIKAN AK 99901-6489
(907) 225-6880
The Honorable William J. Clinton
5502
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We wish to call your attention to the "Voluntary Restraint Agreement" (VRA) recently
negotiated with Russia. This agreement was made as a condition for Russia's removal from the so-
called "proscribed nations" list of countries involved in terrorist or other activity contrary to the
foreign policy of the United States. We ask that you personally look into this matter.
In our opinion, the VRA was wrongfully used to pursue firearms imports controls not authorized
by Congress. Pursuant to the Gun Control Act of 1968, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms (BATF) has the authority to determine what firearms and ammunition may be imported
into the United States. BATF long ago established criteria for importing sporting and "curio or
relic" collectible firearms into the United States.
The Russia VRA, however, evades BATF's criteria for importation. The VRA bars the
importation of Russian origin firearms which do meet BATF's sporting and "curio or relic" criteria.
It also bans the importation of certain ammunition that is otherwise importable. Even more alarming,
the new VRA implementation instructions, published recently in the Federal Register, bans the
importation of these guns not only from Russia, but from any other country as well.
This action by the Administration is unprecedented for a country which has been taken off the
"proscribed nations" list. Your staff has also confirmed that similar VRA's may be sought with other
countries, whether or not they are on the proscribed nations list. Such an action would have a
devastating impact on the importation of fine quality sporting arms and ammunition from around
the world.
We ask that you stop the use of VRA's for domestic gun control objectives. If you seek a change
in the Nation's import laws, propose it to Congress. We want to make it clear that we will not simply
stand by and acquiesce to a misuse of the Nation's trade laws that put Americans out of work, strip
law abiding gun owners and importers of their rights, and diminish consumer choices in sporting
arms and ammunition.
Thank you for your personal review of this matter.
Sincerely,
Fronk N. Mall
McConnell
Jesse Helms
Dirk Kempthorne
Jesse Helms
The Honorable William J. Clinton
Page 2
August 2, 1996
Richard Shelly
Rod Saram
L Zhan
Larry E. Craig
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
5502
August 6, 1996
MEMORANDUM FOR ANDREW SENS
FROM:
SUSAN BROPHY
SUBJECT:
PRESIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
Attached are copies of correspondence sent to the White House
from members of Congress. Since these letters relate to national
security issues, I would appreciate your assistance in drafting
responses.
Thank you very much for your assistance. If you have any
questions, please feel free to call Chris Walker at x67500.
The following is a brief description of each letter:
1) Senator Bob Graham (D-FL), concerning Mexico and the
U.S. tomato and pepper industry;
2) Senator Trent Lott (R-MS), concerning harmonization of
rules of origin regarding NAFTA and GATT;
3) Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), concerning sharing nuclear
weapons data with France and China;
4) Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), concerning the ban on the
transfer of advanced conventional weapons to Latin
America;
5) Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator Dirk Kempthorne
(R-ID), and five others, concerning the "Voluntary
Restraint Agreement" (VRA) negotiated with Russia; and
6) Representative David Bonoir (D-MI), on behalf of
Jaroslaw Duzyi, concerning an endorsement for a book on
Ukrainians in post-WWII refugee camps.
Enclosures.
5502
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ACTION
September 5, 1996
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ANTHONY LAK
JOHN HILLEY
SUBJECT:
Congressional Letter on Voluntary Restraint
Agreement on Russian Gun Imports
Purpose
To respond to Senators McConnell, Kempthorne and five others
raising their concern over a Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA)
on Russian gun exports to the United States.
Background
In June 1995 you approved taking Russia off the International
Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) list after the negotiation of
a VRA with Russia on firearm exports to the United States.
Russia's removal from the ITAR list was made possible by its
decision in 1995 to join a new multilateral export control
regime. By taking Russia off the ITAR list, we opened the door
to defense trade, but we also eliminated import restrictions on
Russian guns. A VRA was negotiated in February 1996. The Vice
President played a direct role in facilitating the VRA through
the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission. We have implemented similar
arrangements with most of the other NIS.
Your response to the Senators explains that the decision to
negotiate a VRA with Russia was driven by our dual objectives of
eliminating Cold War trade restrictions (i.e., the ITAR list)
while addressing domestic safety concerns. You note that imports
of sporting and hunting firearms and collectors items are allowed
under the VRA. We have vetted this agreement with gun control
organizations and have their endorsement.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the letters at Tab B.
Attachments
Tab A Letters to Senators
Tab B Incoming
CC: Vice President
Chief of Staff
5502
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504
August 13, 1996
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR SAMUEL BERGER
THROUGH:
STEVE PIFER
FROM:
CARLOS PASCUAL
SUBJECT:
Congressional Letter on Voluntary Restraint
Agreement on Russian Gun Imports
The memorandum at Tab I recommends a Presidential response to an
August 2 letter from Senators McConnell, Kempthorne and five
others concerning our voluntary restraint agreement with Russia
on gun imports.
Concurrences by:
Alan Kreczko, Bill Danvers, Or for Jim Eisenhower,
Helen Walsh, Leon Fuerth, Rahm Emmanuel
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the memorandum to the President at Tab I.
Attachments
Tab I Memorandum to the President
Tab A Letters to Senators
Tab B Incoming
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 4, 1996
Dear Senator McConnell:
Thank you for your letter concerning the Voluntary Restraint
Agreement (VRA) between the United States and Russia on gun
exports to the United States.
This agreement was negotiated as part of a process of eliminating
anachronistic Cold War restrictions on Russian trade with the
United States. Last year, Russia joined 26 other countries to
establish the Wassenaar Arrangement, a new multilateral export
control regime for arms and sensitive dual-use technologies.
Russia's decision allowed the United States to remove Russia from
the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) list, which
in effect precluded imports of Russian firearms.
Before we lifted the ITAR restrictions, Russia agreed to
negotiate voluntary restraints on firearm exports that could pose
a threat from abroad to domestic safety. The VRA negotiated with
Russia allows us to import firearms that are collectors' items or
have a sporting or hunting purpose. Import restrictions apply to
guns especially attractive to criminals: inexpensive, easily
concealable handguns and military-style semi-automatic weapons
that are easily converted into machine guns. We are now
implementing similar arrangements with other countries to address
imports of these types of weapons, which pose the biggest threat
to our law enforcement officials.
Fighting crime will remain one of my Administration's highest
priorities. The actions we have taken ensure that our foreign
policy effectively integrates sound international commercial
practice with domestic safety concerns.
Sincerely,
Bin Crinton
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-1702
5502
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Pluse they 4
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
SAMUEL BERGER
? ANTHONY LAKE
JOHN HILLEY
SUBJECT:
Congressional Letter on Voluntary Restraint
Agreement on Russian Gun Imports
Purpose
To respond to Senators McConnell, Kempthorne and five others
raising their concern over a Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA)
on Russian gun exports to the U.S. United States
Background
In June 1995 you approved a policy of taking Russia off the
International, Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) list after
the
negotiat a of VRA with Russia on firearm exports to the U.S.
Russia's removal from the ITAR list was made possible by its
Street
decision in 1995 to join a new multilateral export control
regime. By taking Russia off the ITAR list, we opened the door
to defense trade, but we also eliminated import restrictions on
Russian guns. Because of our concern over the potential for an
influx of a large volume of cheap guns, we agreed to negotiate a
VRA with Russia covering gun exports that pose a threat to
domestic safety. Such a VRA was negotiated in February 1996.
The Vice President played a direct role in facilitating the VRA
through the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission. We have also
implemented similar arrangements with most of the other NIS.
Your response to the Senators explains that the decision to
negotiate a VRA with Russia was driven by our dual objectives of
eliminating Cold War trade restrictions (i.e., the ITAR list)
while addressing domestic safety concerns. You note that imports
of sporting and hunting firearms and collectors items are allowed
under the VRA. We have vetted this agreement with gun control
organizations and have their endorsement.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the letters at Tab B.
CC: Vice President
Chief of Staff
5502
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Senator McConnell:
-should Capitalized thes
Thank you for your letter concerning the voluntary restraint
with vse to on the ?. the
agreement (VRA) between the United States and Russia on gun
exports to the United States.
This agreement was negotiated as part of a process of eliminating
anachronistic Cold War restrictions on Russian trade with the
United States. Last year, Russia joined 26 other countries to
establish the Wassenaar Arrangement, a new multilateral export
control regime for arms and sensitive dual-use technologies.
Russia's decision allowed the United States to remove Russia from
the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) list, which
in effect precluded imports of Russian firearms.
Before we lifted the ITAR restrictions, Russia agreed to
negotiate voluntary restraints on firearm exports that could pose
a threat from abroad to domestic safety. The VRA negotiated with
Russia allows us to import firearms that are collectors' items or
have a sporting or hunting purpose. Import restrictions apply to
guns especially attractive to criminals: inexpensive, easily
concealable handguns, and military-style semi-automatic weapons
that are easily converted into machine guns. We are now
implementing similar arrangements, to address imports of these
types of weapons, which pose the biggest threat to our law
enforcement officials with other countries
Fighting crime will remain one of my Administration's highest
priorities. The actions we have taken ensure that our foreign
policy effectively integrates sound international commercial
practice with domestic safety concerns.
Sincerely,
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-1702
5502
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ANTHONY LAKE
JOHN HILLEY
SUBJECT:
Congressional Letter on Voluntary Restraint
Agreement on Russian Gun Imports
Purpose
To respond to Senators McConnell, Kempthorne and five others
raising their concern over a Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA)
on Russian gun exports to the United States.
Background
In June 1995 you approved taking Russia off the International
Traffic in Arms Regulations (/TAR) list after the negotiation of
a VRA with Russia on firearm exports to the United States.
dringard
Russia's removal from the ITAR list was made possible by its
decision in 1995 to join a new multilateral export control
regime. By taking Russia off the ITAR list, we opened the door
to defense trade, but we also eliminated import restrictions on
Russian guns. Because of our concern over the potential for an
influx of a large volume of cheap guns, we agreed to negotiate
a
VRA with Russia covering gun exports that pose a threat to
domestic safety Such VRA was negotiated in February 1996.
The Vice President played a direct role in facilitating the VRA
through the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission. We have implemented
similar arrangements with most of the other NIS.
Your response to the Senators explains that the decision to
negotiate a VRA with Russia was driven by our dual objectives of
eliminating Cold War trade restrictions (i.e., the ITAR list)
while addressing domestic safety concerns. You note that imports
of sporting and hunting firearms and collectors items are allowed
under the VRA. We have vetted this agreement with gun control
organizations and have their endorsement.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the letters at Tab 3.
Attachments
Tab A Letters to Senators
Tab B Incoming
CC: Vice President
Chief of Staff
FRANK H. MURKOWSKI
# 180466
222 WEST "TM AVENUE, Box 1
ANCHORA(E AK 99513-7570
ALASKA
(90'') 271-3735
COMMITTEES:
101 12ni AVENUE, Box 7
FAIRBANKS, AK 99701-6278
CHAIRMAN
Anited States Senate
(907) 456-0233
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
P.O. Box 21647
FINANCE
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0202
JUNEAU AK 99802-1647
VETERANS' AFFAIRS
(907) 586-7400
(202) 224-6665
INDIAN AFFAIRS
96 AUG 5 P4 : 57.30
TRADING BAY ROAD, Surre 350
KENAI, AK 99611-7716
(907) 283-5808
August 2, 1996
109 MAIN STREET
KETCHIKAN AK 99901-6489
(907) 225-6880
The Honorable William J. Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We wish to call your attention to the "Voluntary Restraint Agreement" (VRA) recently
negotiated with Russia. This agreement was made as a condition for Russia's removal from the so-
called "proscribed nations" list of countries involved in terrorist or other activity contrary to the
foreign policy of the United States. We ask that you personally look into this matter.
In our opinion, the VRA was wrongfully used to pursue firearms imports controls not authorized
by Congress. Pursuant to the Gun Control Act of 1968, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms (BATF) has the authority to determine what firearms and ammunition may be imported
into the United States. BATF long ago established criteria for importing sporting and "curio or
relic" collectible firearms into the United States.
The Russia VRA, however, evades BATF's criteria for importation. The VRA bars the
importation of Russian origin firearms which do meet BATF's sporting and "curio or relic" criteria.
It also bans the importation of certain ammunition that is otherwise importable. Even more alarring,
the new VRA implementation instructions, published recently in the Federal Register, bans the
importation of these guns not only from Russia, but from any other country as well.
This action by the Administration is unprecedented for a country which has been taken off the
"proscribed nations" list. Your staff has also confirmed that similar VRA's may be sought with other
countries, whether or not they are on the proscribed nations list. Such an action would have a
devastating impact on the importation of fine quality sporting arms and ammunition from around
the world.
We ask that you stop the use of VRA's for domestic gun control objectives. If you seek a change
in the Nation's import laws, propose it to Congress. We want to make it clear that we will not simply
stand by and acquiesce to a misuse of the Nation's trade laws that put Americans out of work, strip
law abiding gun owners and importers of their rights, and diminish consumer choices in sporting
arms and ammunition.
Thank you for your personal review of this matter.
Sincerely,
Fronk H. mall
Disk
Jesse Helms
5502
ADDOPLE
The Honorable William J. Clinton
Page 2
August 2, 1996
Richard Shelly
Rod Same
L
ID# 180466
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: AUGUST 08, 1996
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: THE HONORABLE FRANK MURKOWSKI
SUBJECT: WRITES CONCERNING THE "VOLUNTARY RESTRAINT
AGREEMENT" (VRA) NEGOTIATED WITH RUSSIA
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT
DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE YY/MM/DD RESP D YY/MM/DD
JOHN HILLEY
ORG 96/08/08
C 96/08/08
REFERRAL NOTE:
ANDREW SENS
RSA 96/08/08
7 /
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 7
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 /
7
/
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
7
/
REFERRAL NOTE:
COMMENTS: ADDITIONAL SIGNEES
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENTS:
6 MEDIA:L INDIVIDUAL CODES: 1220
MAIL
USER CODES: (A) R AK
(B)
(C)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION
*A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET
*S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
*
OUTGOING
*
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
*
*
*S-FOR-SIGNATURE
*
*
*
*X-INTERIM REPLY
*
*
*
REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75, OEOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
SC.
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ID 9605502
REFERRAL
DATE: 11 SEP 96
MEMORANDUM FOR: WH STRIPPING DESK
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION:
TO: MCCONNELL, MITCH
SOURCE: PRESIDENT
DATE: 04 SEP 96
SUBJ: REPLY RE VOLUNTARY RESTRAINT AGREEMENT / VRA W/ RUSSIA
REQUIRED ACTION: FOR DISPATCH
DUEDATE: 12 SEP 96
COMMENT:
FOR
JOHN W. FICKLIN
NSC RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICE
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
LOG 9605502
DISTRIBUTION RECEIPT
DATE 04 SEP 96
SUBJECT: REPLY RE VOLUNTARY RESTRAINT AGREEMENT / VRA W/ RUSSIA
DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION:
DATE
TIME
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PRINT LAST NAME:
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