Pages 41-42 from FCO 37/2114 - The Nuclear Policy of Pakistan 1979

The telegram is marked as confidential and discusses the issue of "grey areas" in nuclear exports. It states that since the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) established an export trigger list in 1975, it has been recognized that various standard industrial and scientific items, not explicitly listed, could also be used in nuclear plants. However, these items were not included in the trigger list due to their individual importance and dual-use nature. The UK, as a member of the NSG and a depository state of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, wants to avoid opportunities for proliferation. They are concerned about uncontrolled equipment, specifically inverters (frequency-changers), that could be used in gas centrifuge enrichment plants for weapons-grade uranium production. Consequently, the UK has decided to require export licenses for such equipment and may refuse licenses if deemed necessary. They are interested in learning how other NSG members are addressing this issue.