International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Amendment of Central African Republic

AGENCY:

Department of State.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Department of State is amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to reflect recently adopted United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) concerning the Central African Republic.

DATES:

The rule is effective on July 22, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Engda Wubneh, Foreign Affairs Officer, Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy, U.S. Department of State, telephone (202) 663-1809, or email DDTCResponseTeam@state.gov. ATTN: Regulatory Change, ITAR Section 126.1 Central African Republic Update 2020.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On September 12, 2019, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted resolution 2488, which adjusted the arms embargo on the Central African Republic (CAR) to allow additional exceptions to the embargo and committed to further review of the sanctions regime within four months. On January 31, 2020, four months later, the UNSC adopted resolution 2507 renewing that arms embargo until July 31, 2020 and providing additional exceptions to those adopted by resolution 2488. The UNSC initially imposed an arms embargo on the country with certain enumerated exceptions in 2013. The CAR government has made progress since, including the signing of a peace agreement between the CAR government and fourteen armed groups on February 6, 2019. These resolutions are intended to support the CAR government as it works to implement the peace agreement and extend state control over the entire territory of the country. The Department of State is amending ITAR § 126.1(u) to implement the changes to the embargo. Further, in accordance with ITAR § 129.7, no broker, as described in ITAR § 129.2, may engage in or make a proposal to engage in brokering activities subject to the ITAR that involve the Central African Republic without first obtaining the approval of the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Lastly, this rule revises the authority citation to Part 126 by removing reference to E.O. 12918, 59 FR 28205. Rwanda, was removed from ITAR § 126.1 in 2008, and this non-substantive edit reflects the current defense trade posture toward Rwanda.

Regulatory Analysis and Notices

Administrative Procedure Act

The Department of State is of the opinion that controlling the import and export of defense articles and services is a foreign affairs function of the United States Government and that rules implementing this function are exempt from sections 553 (rulemaking) and 554 (adjudications) of the Administrative Procedure Act. Since this rule is exempt from 5 U.S.C. 553, the provisions of § 553(d) do not apply to this rulemaking. Therefore, this rule is effective upon publication. The Department also finds that, given the national security issues surrounding U.S. policy towards the aforementioned country, there is good cause for the effective date of this rule to be the date of publication, as provided by 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Since this rule is exempt from the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553, there is no requirement for an analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

This rulemaking does not involve a mandate that will result in the expenditure by state, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

The Department does not believe this rulemaking is a major rule within the definition of 5 U.S.C. 804.

Executive Orders 12372 and 13132

This rulemaking will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, the Department has determined that this rulemaking does not have sufficient federalism implications to require consultations or warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do not apply to this rulemaking.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributed impacts, and equity). These executive orders stress the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. Because the scope of this rule implements a governmental policy limiting defense trade with a country the Department believes costs associated with this rule will be minimal. The Department also finds that any costs of this rulemaking do not outweigh the foreign policy benefits, as described in the preamble. This rule has been designated non-significant by the Office and Information and Regulatory Affairs under Executive Order 12866 Sec. 3(d)(2).

Executive Order 12988

The Department of State reviewed this rulemaking in light of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize litigation, establish clear legal standards, and reduce burden.

Executive Order 13175

The Department of State determined that this rulemaking will not have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not preempt tribal law. Accordingly, the requirements of Executive Order 13175 do not apply to this rulemaking.

Executive Order 13771

This rule is not subject to the requirements of Executive Order 13771 because it is issued with respect to a foreign affairs function of the United States.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This rule does not impose any new reporting or recordkeeping requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 126

• Arms and munitions
• Exports

Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, Title 22, Chapter I, Subchapter M, part 126 is amended as follows:

PART 126—GENERAL POLICIES AND PROVISIONS

1. The authority citation for part 126 is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778, 2780, 2791, and 2797; 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 U.S.C. 287c; Sec. 1225, Pub. L. 108-375; Sec. 7089, Pub. L. 111-117; Pub. L. 111-266; Sections 7045 and 7046, Pub. L. 112-74; E.O. 13637, 78 FR 16129.

2. Amend § 126.1 by revising paragraph (u) to read as follows: