Ripe for Reform:
Stemming Slovakia’s Arms Trade with Human Rights Abusers

Summary and Recommendations

Ripe for Reform
Recommendations


Case Study 1: Illegal Dealings: The Stubborn Helicopter Deal

The U.N.’s Findings
Human Rights Watch’s Findings

A Loophole Big Enough to Fly a Helicopter Through
Military Officials Facilitate the Arms Deal
Negotiations for Weapons Contracts
Details of the Helicopter Deal
A Tip-Off Leads to Seizure of the Helicopter
Aggressive Efforts to Release the Helicopter
The Investigation and Prosecution: A Slow Start


Case Study 2: Legal or Illegal? The Mysterious Iranian Shipment

The Bratislava Airport Arms Hand-Over
The Players
More Questions than Answers
Other Stops, Additional Cargo


Case Study 3: Carelessness Uncovered: The Licensing Mix-Up

Problems at Every Turn


The Case for Further Reform

NATO and the European Union: Leverage for Change
The Evolution of Slovakia’s Arms Trade Controls and the Need for Further Reforms

Ensuring Strict Licensing
Identifying and Closing Licensing Loopholes
Improving End-Use Controls
Regulating Arms Trading Companies
Reining in Arms Intermediaries
Controlling Weapons Transshipment
Enforcing Arms Embargoes
Implementing Arms Export Criteria
Disposing Responsibly of Surplus Weapons
Combating Corruption and Conflicts of Interest
Ensuring Transparency and Securing Parliamentary Oversight


Conclusion
Appendices
Acknowledgments

February 2004     Vol. 16, No. 2(D)

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