Illicit Arms Transfers, Kosovo Liberation Army

Possible Illicit Arms Transfers from the United States to the Kosovo Liberation Army

Question: Did the State Department approve any transfers of arms from the United States to the Kosovo Liberation Army in 1999? What actions were taken to stop alleged illicit sales of weapons to this group?

Answer: Under the Arms Export Control Act, no defense articles and services covered by the U.S. Munitions List—including the .50 caliber sniper rifles cited in the 60 Minutes segment—can be exported from the United States without the written authorization of the Department of States’ Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). No such authorizations were approved for exports of firearms or any other defense article to the former Kosovo Liberation Army.

I would refer you to the Department of Homeland Security’s Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for any questions about law enforcement actions related to the illegal exports of firearms.

2005/341 Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 23, 2005 Question Taken at March 22, 2005, Daily Press Briefing