FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1 November 1994
ESTONIAN STRATEGIC GOODS EXPORT CONTROL COMMISSION BEGINS WORK
Beginning November 1, the Estonian Border Guard have the right to demand an export license for strategic goods, including weapons and ammunition, goods connected with biological and chemical weapons, and nuclear and nuclear-related technology and materials.
Established under a Government Order (June 5, 1994), the Estonian Strategic Goods Export Control Commission met for the first time October 31. The Commission operates under the Law of Strategic Goods Export and Transit.
The Strategic Goods Export Control Commission, which is composed of representatives from the Customs Board and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Economic Affairs, and Internal Affairs, will make decisions through consensus.
A Government Decision of October 5, 1994 confirmed the Strategic Goods Export Control Regulation and the lists of strategic goods. Applications for export licenses are issued by the Foreign Economic Policy Department, Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Press and Information Office
Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The document indicates that it was relatively simple to export any strategic goods during 1994, at least until the 1 of November, as the Estonian Border Guard could not demand an export license. Therefore it is likely to believe that there could have been strategic goods without any control aboard M/V Estonia the night of the disaster.