Pages 35-36 from FCO 96959 - Nuclear power matters in Pakistan 1978

This document is a confidential letter dated August 24, 1979, from Douglas Hurd, the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to an unnamed recipient. Hurd is responding to a letter regarding the control of nuclear exports and requests for additional export controls to prevent or delay the construction of centrifuge plants abroad.

Hurd emphasizes the importance of keeping export controls to a minimum to benefit the country's economy. He mentions that new proposals for controls must be thoroughly examined to ensure their necessity and effectiveness, taking into account the availability of alternative sources. He points out that previous efforts to control exports related to centrifuge plants have not been widely adopted by other countries, except for the United States.

Despite this, Hurd acknowledges the significance of delaying Pakistan's nuclear program to allow for political solutions. He suggests placing certain items under control for all destinations, including plant equipment for uranium purification, mass spectrometers, and corrosion-resistant pressure gauges. The precise descriptions for control purposes are still under discussion.

However, Hurd expresses reluctance to control equipment or materials used generally in industry that are not specifically related to centrifuge manufacturing, as it may lead to an excessive proliferation of controls. He mentions reservations about extending control to high-strength aluminum alloys, maraging steel alloys, and permanent magnet alloys. Regarding spin-forming and flow-forming machines, which are already partially controlled, he is willing to extend control to all destinations.

Hurd indicates that his position may be reconsidered if other major suppliers join in implementing new controls, not just the United States. He suggests seeking information from officials about other countries' commitment to new controls. Regarding approaches to firms, Hurd believes that when officials are certain that goods are subject to control but the exporter does not recognize it, approaches can be made carefully. However, for goods not under control, export prevention is not possible, and approaches to firms would need to be handled with caution, especially if there are financial or contractual commitments involved.

Hurd copies the letter to the Ministers of State for Defense, Energy, and Industry, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and Sir John Hunt.