The Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance (EXBS) Program

• The Proliferation Threat
• The Response: The EXBS Program
• The EXBS Program in Action

The Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance (EXBS) program is a U.S. Government interagency program, managed by the Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, designed to help prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their missile delivery systems, conventional weapons, and related items by assisting foreign governments to establish and implement effective export control systems that meet international standards.

• View or download the EXBS slide show here.
• View the multimedia EXBS presentation by the Director of the Office of Export Control Cooperation, Mr. Paul van Son here.
  

One of the highest foreign policy and national security priorities of the United States is preventing the spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. The audacity of terrorists' attacks in recent years and evidence that they are pursuing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons have raised the stakes. These developments demonstrate why it is critical for all responsible members of the global community to put in place effective measures to prevent the spread of these weapons and technologies.

Today, the proliferation threat is more diverse and increasingly difficult to counter. Goods and technologies with sensitive military applications frequently have legitimate commercial applications as well. Weapons proliferators know this and cleverly mask their acquisitions as innocent business transactions to deceive government officials and legitimate businesses.

As a result of increased economic interaction and advances in information and communications technology, it is now easier than ever to transfer sensitive technology and know-how to the far reaches of the globe -- and more difficult than ever to monitor or control such transfers.

The Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance (or "EXBS") program is the United States Government's premier initiative to help other countries improve their export control systems. The EXBS program:

• is led and funded by the Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of Export Control Cooperation;
• draws on expertise from the Departments of State, Homeland Security, Commerce, Energy, Defense, and the private sector to provide a range of legal, licensing, and enforcement training and equipment;
• operated with a budget of $42 million in fiscal year 2006 (up from just $3 million in fiscal year 1998) with funds for programs in over 40 countries; and
• has placed 20 dedicated Program Advisors at U.S. Embassies to help coordinate and implement the program.

The Office of Export Control Cooperation also chairs an interagency group to coordinate all U.S. Government export control assistance programs.

The EXBS program's original focus was on the WMD "source countries" in the Former Soviet Union (Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan). To address the changes in the proliferation threat, the program has broadened to include states on potential smuggling routes in Eastern and Central Europe, the Balkans, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, as well as to potential "source countries" in South Asia and countries with major transshipment hubs in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

The EXBS program has helped countries around the world improve their ability to prevent and interdict shipments of dangerous items and technologies by providing a wide variety of practical assistance tailored to each individual country's needs. Examples of activities and successes exhibit the program's efforts in five core areas.

Laws and Regulations:

• Helped countries in the Former Soviet Union draft and implement new comprehensive export control laws.

Licensing:

• Trained Baltic officials that went on to deny licenses for shipments to suspicious end-users in countries of concern.

Enforcement:

• Provided training and equipment that have helped Central and Eastern European governments apprehend stolen radioactive material and sensitive goods.
• Provided Malta and Jordan with sophisticated x-ray equipment to screen cargo at their major transshipment ports.

Government-Industry Cooperation:

• Launched an ambitious program to provide software and training to Russian industry to help it comply with Russia's export control process.

Interagency Cooperation Coordination:

• Conducted joint vehicle inspection training for Pakistani Customs and border guard personnel at a U.S.-Mexico border crossing.

The EXBS program also takes a regional and multilateral approach to help harmonize national export control systems with international standards and facilitate information-sharing agreements among nations. The program also organizes a number of regional forums to bring national policymakers and technical experts together, including the following:

• Eighth International Conference on Export Controls, March 6-8, 2007, Bucharest, Romania;
  
• The Global Transhipment and Enforcement Seminar, July 18-21, 2006, Bangkok, Thailand;
  
• Effective Elements of Export Control for APEC Economies Conference, November 1-3, 2005, Honolulu, Hawaii; and
  
• Seventh International Conference on Export Controls, September 20-23, 2005, Stockholm, Sweden.

Contact the EXBS Program:

Office of Export Control Cooperation
ISN/ECC, RM 3317
Department of State
Washington, DC 20520

Paul van Son, Director
Andrew Church, Deputy Director

The State Department, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation website is http://www.state.gov/t/isn.
The EXBS program sponsors the www.exportcontrol.org website.