The World : U.S. Acts to Curb Missiles

The Bush Administration has decided to ban the sale to India of a sophisticated missile-testing device and has expressed concern to France about reports of an offer to sell advanced rocket technology to Brazil, U.S. officials said. The two steps reflect a toughening U.S. stand on the sale of sophisticated technology and know-how to Third World nations seeking to develop their own ballistic missiles. A license for the sale to India of a $1.2-million system used to put re-entry vehicles under simulated stress has been under debate for some time. The French-led consortium Arianespace reportedly has offered missile technology to Brazil if the Brazilians agree to use the Ariane rocket for two new communications satellites.