Governments have a legal obligation to ensure effective control over arms exports and to monitor and supervise the movement of arms to ensure that they do not fall into unauthorized hands. The purpose of this book is to provide a detailed picture of how governments discharge this responsibility. Individual chapters describe national efforts to control arms transfers, concentrating on the legal framework that exists to regulate arms exports. The book includes a discussion of existing multilateral arms transfer control regimes, including the United Nations, the Co-ordinating Committee for East-West Trade Policy (CoCom), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and arms embargoes agreed by the Council of Ministers of the European Community. Every effort has been made to produce a comprehensive compendium, but total success has been prevented by the continued failure of some governments to release adequate information into the public domain.

Readership: Professionals, lay people, and students concerned with strategic studies, peace studies, and international relations; consultants, policy-makers, and journalists specializing in these areas.

Edited by Ian Anthony, Researcher, SIPRI Arms Trade Project

"'this is a comprehensive analysis of 24 of the 68 arms exporting countries' SOUTH, November 1991"

"'fine reference book ... it makes available information not easily found elsewhere, in a field likely to occupy a leading position in post-Cold War security studies' Simon King, University of Lancaster, Defense Analysis"

"'It is unique as a reference book, and is a valuable resource for specialists and policy-makers in this area.' Owen Greene, University of Bradford, Political Studies (1992)"

"'It is unique as a reference book, and is a valuable resource for specialists and policy-makers in this area.' Owen Greene, University of Bradford, Political Studies (1992), XL"

"'After reading it, one becomes aware of the size of the gap in the arms control literature which the book fills. This summary may of itself recommend this fine reference book to those familiar with the accuracy and integrity of SIPRI scholarship. At a reasonable price, it makes available information not easily found elsewhere, in a field likely to occupy a leading position in post-Cold War security studies ... it is to be hoped that this excellent work will be the point of departure for regular updates in the SIPRI Year-book, and that its success will persuade the SIPRI research group to devote further resources to this enormously promising area of arms control.' Simon King, University of Lancaster, Defense Analysis"

"'Anthony provides a useful introduction to arms export regulations.' Joseph F. Ryan, Intelligence and National Security, Vol. 7, No. 3, July '92"

"`it covers almost the entire field of arms trade regulations, particularly as far as the supply side is concerned.' NOD and Conversion"

"'Anthony provides a useful introduction to arms export regulations.' Joseph F. Ryan, Intelligence and National Security"

"'another timely and important SIPRI-sponsored publication ... Nine other authors along with Anthony ... have amassed a wealth of information on the national legislation concerning arms exports ... The book is unique for a number of reasons.' Paul Henri Laurent, University of Birmingham, Arms Control, Vol. 143, No. 2, Sept '92"

"'very informative book ... This book should find a place in all defence libraries.' Maj Gen Partap Narain (Retd), U.S.I. Journal, October-December 1993"