In May 1977 the President announced an arms transfer restraint policy. The policy included quantitative and qualitative controls on government-to-government sales to all countries except our NATO allies, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The most visible element of the policy was the ceiling placed on the aggregate dollar value of sales to nonexempt countries in 1978 and 1979.

The evidence that the executive branch has marshaled to demonstrate its restraint accomplishments is not convincing. Other countries simply have not yet agreed to restrain arms sales. Despite numerous meetings with other major arms suppliers, there have been no concrete achievements toward multilateral restraint. The President's restraint policy is stated in global terms and has not been translated into the needs and realities of the U.S. relations with specific purchasing countries. Although the Department of State recognizes that more detailed criteria are essential to effectively implement the restraint policy, it sees criteria as detracting from foreign policy flexibility. Individual case determinations, influenced by the political or military concerns of the moment, bear heavily on the evolving U.S. arms supply relationship with an individual country or region. Arms sales requests should be judged against preestablished country criteria. Inadequate interagency planning for military sales also has been a continuing problem.

Status Legend:

Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.

Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.

• Review Pending
• Open
• Closed - implemented
• Closed - not implemented

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter: Congress should require the President to submit, prior to the start of each fiscal year, a detailed plan for each nonexempt country purchasing significant quantities of military equipment from the government. The plan should define the U.S. military supply relationship with each country and identify the limits on the supply relationship by specific weapon or weapons category. Significant changes in the plan during the year should also be submitted to Congress and should be transmitted with an appropriate security classification.

Status: Closed

Comments: Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.

Recommendation for Executive Action

Recommendation: The Secretary of State should reevaluate the adequacy of the structure and staffing of the Office of the Under Secretary for Security and Assistance, Science, and Technology, to ensure that they: (1) are commensurate with the leadership role envisioned for this office; and (2) require and develop guidance for preparing country restraint plans for countries receiving significant U.S. military items, to include policy criteria setting forth what the United States will and will not sell and why.

Agency Affected:

Status: Closed

Comments: Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.