MEMORANDUM FROM THE UNITED STATES DELEGATION CONCERNING A BELGIAN PROPOSAL TO EXPORT ELECTRODES TO RUMANIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP62-00647A000200040031-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 20, 1998
• Sequence Number: 31
• Publication Date: November 13, 1959
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For,-Release 1999/09/16 : CIA-RDP62-80647A00020006p 1'-3
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CONFIDENTIAL 0000M DOC.._ 3771
Date: November 13, 1959
NEMORAN IM FROM THE UNITED STATES IIELEGATION
CONCERNING
A BELGIAN PROPOSAL TO EXPORT ELECTRODES TO RUMANIA
Reference: COCOM Documents 3735 and 3757
In COCOM Document 3735, the Delegate of Belgium stated that the
Belgian authorities have received a request for license to export to
Rumania 15,000 kgs of electrodes, sheathed for are welding, and re-
quested the views of other elegations as to whether or not these
e
inition of Item 1661.
electrodes are covered byf
The United States authorities have given careful consideration
to the question raised by the Belgian Delegate and as a result thereof
are of the opinion that "electrodes sheathed for arc welding" are
included under Item 1661(b).
It is the opinion of the United States authorities that, as
related to welding rods and electrodes, the word "sheathe" means
to cover the rod with a non-metallic substance. This may be done
by coating. Usually this coating acts as a flux which, during the
welding operation, forms a protection around the molten metal, thus
preventing its oxidation. Whether it be coated on the welding rod
or used on the parts to be welded, the use of fluxes is a necessary
function in the welding operation. The usual manner of coating is
performed by mixing the flux with water, thus forming a paste which
is then brushed evenly on the rod. The United States authorities
are of the opinion that this preparation does not result in the
production of a more highly-developed welding rod or electrode.
In commenting upon the reference by the Belgian Delegate to
Interpretative Note No. 6, the United States authorities are of the
opinion that the fact that Interpretative Note No. 6, in defining
semi-fabrications, specifically includes bare welding rods with rods
used for other purposes, does not exclude electrodes or coated
welding rods from coverage. Bare or coated welding rods or electrodes
do not differ in usage and the alloying elements may be the same.
When a bare welding rod or electrode is used, the flux is usually
applied to the face of the metals to be joined, thereby affording
protection against oxidation of the molten metal,
The United States authorities also point out that in para-
graph 2 of Interpretative Note No. 6, the heading "Semi-fabricated
forms" is followed by the parenthetic statement "whether or not
coated, plated, drilled or punched". Accordingly, it seems apparent
to the United States authorities that welding rods (electrodes) both
bare and coated, were intended to be covered by the definition, since
to include one and not the other would be an inconsistency leading
to the frustration of embargo objectives.
CONPIISENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/16 : CIA-RDP62-00647A000200040031-3