The U.S. Embassy in Baku comments on the emergence of acoustic weapons

The appearance on the streets of Baku  the LRAD to disperse protesters on March 10, caused a lot of noise. Turan agency asked the U.S. Embassy to comment on the appearance of these plants. Spokesman of the Embassy answered questions from Turan.

 
Q: Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) were brought to the Baku March 10 protest to disperse protestors but not used.   Is the Embassy aware that these weapons were provided to the Azerbaijani government? 
 
A: The United States government did not give or sell these devices to the government of Azerbaijan.  The transaction in question was between a private company and the Azerbaijani government.  The Embassy does not typically get involved in contract negotiations between companies and foreign countries (third parties).   
 
Q: What is the procedure inside the USG for approving the sale of such weapons?  The USG produces an annual human rights report that, in the case of Azerbaijan, documents serious and ongoing human rights abuses.  Do the findings of these human rights report have any influence on the USG's consideration of whether to provide such weapons to Azerbaijan?
 
A:  Generally, exports of U.S.-origin defense articles or services would require an export license from the U.S. Department of State. The United States takes into account political, military, economic, arms control, and human rights conditions in making decisions on the provision of military equipment and the licensing of direct commercial sales to any country, in accordance with the Arms Export Control Act, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the 1995 Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, and relevant international agreements. 
 
The LRAD, however, is not considered to be within the “defense article” category defined by the U.S. government for export items and services, and is therefore subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce.  -02-

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