Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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03THEHAGUE1848 | 2003-07-22 10:59:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy The Hague |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 221059Z Jul 03 |
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UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001848
SIPDIS SENSITIVE NP/ECNP FOR C.KESSLER AND R.GAREL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC NL PARM ECON SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS REPLY ON DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON TECHNOLOGIES REF: STATE 183590 On July 18, Dutch Wassenaar Arrangement delegate Theo Regier sent EconOff the attached note in response to ref demarche on diamond-like carbon technologies: BEGIN TEXT Wassenaar Arrangement Controls for Diamond Like Carbon Technologies -- Reply by the Netherlands to the United States Note received through the US Embassy in The Hague on 1 July 2003: The Netherlands thanks the United States for raising the issue of continuing controls over diamond like carbon (DLC) technologies. We trust that the information provided below adequately clarifies the position taken by The Netherlands in the Expert Group (EG) of the Wassenaar Arrangement on this issue. When the US proposal on DLC controls was discussed at the April 2003 meeting of the EG, the Netherlands asked for "study time" and stated that an extension of the validity would be an option. This position has been clearly reflected in the report of the Chairman WA-EG(03)CHAIR009. This does not necessarily imply that we advocate lifting controls of DLC technology by letting the validity note expire. Asking for "study time" on complex issues is a normal procedure within the List Review process which is used by all WA Participating States, including the US. We have since posed several technical questions to the US Delegation to the EG, particularly on the use of DLC coating technology in Beryllium alloys. This unleashed a discussion that is still ongoing. Our experts claim that DLC coating on Beryllium has so far only been used for military goods. This would mean that DLC coating technology on Beryllium should be controlled under ML22 of the Munitions List, together with other military technologies. On the other hand, DLC coating on Beryllium-alloys (Note: "alloys" bolded in original text. End Note.) is widely used in civilian applications, e.g. in the field of mould production for die-casting and injection molding of plastics and other synthetic materials. Therefore we would like an extension of the exclusion note in this particular field. The intent is to discuss the issue of DLC coating during the intercessional expert meeting in London in late July 2003, as organized by the UK. The Netherlands is confident that mutually acceptable conclusion can be reached. END TEXT RUSSEL |