Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control
15 June 2006
Rakon exports outside of Strategic Goods List
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its technical advisers have met and discussed with Rakon the application
of export controls to the crystal oscillators that Rakon exports", the Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, Phil
Goff said today.
"They are satisfied that based on information Rakon has provided, the crystal oscillators Rakon exports are not covered
by the Strategic Goods List. They therefore do not require an export permit.
“For electronic components of guidance and navigation equipment, such as crystal oscillators, to be covered by the
Strategic Goods List, they must be "specially designed” for military use. This means that they have unique properties
distinguishing them for a predetermined military use.
“Radiation hardened products – sometimes loosely referred to as nuclear hardened – are used in a wide range of
applications including satellite communications and the aerospace industry. They are unlikely to be specially designed
for military use. Rakon further informed the Ministry that it has not manufactured or supplied any "radiation hardened"
crystal oscillators.
"Rakon informed the Ministry that it has developed a "G-hardened" crystal oscillator but it is not supplying it to any
company for military use. G-shock hardened products – referred to as G-hardened – are used in a wide range of
applications, including in surveying, marine, aviation and guided munitions applications. They have many applications
and are unlikely to be specially designed for military use.
“Rakon have undertaken to keep in touch with the Ministry about the application of export controls to any new products
they might develop.
"New Zealand is absolutely committed to meeting its international legal obligations to control the export of strategic
goods. It is also voluntarily but enthusiastically committed to its membership of the four export control regimes."
"Following its inquiry the Ministry is satisfied that Rakon's exports are outside the Strategic Goods List and that New
Zealand is fully meeting its international commitments," Mr Goff said.
ENDS