Putin concerned with “sensitive technologies” export

An effective export control would help safeguard Russia's interests and prevent "sensitive technologies" from being peddled abroad, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. "Export control must be an effective filter in the way of the uncontrolled turnover of designs and discoveries vital to the country," Mr. Putin is quoted by Interfax as saying as he opened a Security Council meeting at the Kremlin. At the same time, the Russian President dismissed Washington's claims that Moscow was helping hostile governments to acquire dangerous technology. Russia "respects all its international obligations concerning the ban on the export of equipment, materials and technology which can be used to make weapons of mass destruction and missiles," he is quoted by ITAR-TASS as saying. US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld earlier this month branded Russia "an active proliferator," accusing Moscow of actively supplying "rogue states" like North Korea and Iran with sensitive missile technology.