The Australia Group, with 30 members, works to prevent proliferation of CBW weapons by ham-ionizing export controls, sharing information and agreeing on best practices. Its 33 members promote transparency and responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies. It also does not impede bona fide civil transactions, nor interfere with nations' rights to acquire legitimate means of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Two key countries for the United States in this effort are Russia and China. Nonetheless, Russia's loss of traditional markets creates pressure for it to develop supply relationships with countries of concern, such as Iran.
China also presents a mixed picture.
It has played an increasingly helpful role in supporting the international regimes, including adoption of the CTBT and extension of the NPT, and working with us to resolve specific problems like the North Korean nuclear threat. On the other hand, we remain concerned about some of China's weapons supply relationships and the limitations on its system of export controls. On the Korean peninsula, the 1994 Agreed Framework has frozen North Korea's nuclear program and created a plan for its eventual compliance with IAEA safeguards. But the Framework is vulnerable to political pressures and regional tensions, and we remain concerned by North Korea's chemical weapons capabilities and missile program, including exports. Our strategy includes maintaining a strong alliance with South Korea and launching four- party talks to establish a permanent peace on the peninsula.