Records on Nonproliferation of Non-Nuclear Weapons Particularly Biological and Chemical Weapons

The materials in FOIA 1998-0136-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. FOIA 1998-0136-F concerns the nonproliferation of non-nuclear weapons, particularly chemical and 1998-0136-F 2 biological weapons. The FOIA collection documents all aspects of Bush Administration multilateral, bilateral, and unilateral policy formulation and decision making relating to non-nuclear weapons of mass destruction. It should be noted that the overwhelming majority of documents in this FOIA collection are closed for national security. Records comprising this FOIA collection include letters, internal memoranda, agenda, minutes, cables, treaties, talking points, reports, policy guidance, and clippings that document all aspects of nonproliferation issues during the Bush administration. Of particular importance are materials relating to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The MTCR was a voluntary multilateral effort to control the proliferation of ballistic missile technology. These materials document negotiations surrounding MTCR membership, missile trade issues, and technology transfer concerns. Additional materials of import in this collection concern the Australia Group, a multilateral effort to stymie the proliferation of chemical weapons technology. Numerous cables and memoranda document the ongoing chemical and biological weapons negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament. These materials provide detailed information about the evolution and formulation of U.S. policy regarding the maintenance, modernization, and reduction of weapons stockpiles. The FOIA collection also contains information which documents U.S. bilateral efforts with the Soviet Union and later Russia regarding chemical and biological weapons concerns. Cables, memoranda, minutes, agendas, letters, reports, and papers provide information about all aspects of President Bush's nonproliferation initiative including negotiations involving the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions. Of particular interest are materials relating to challenge inspections and site visits by teams of U.S. and Russian weapons experts. Read less