the United Nations and the Organization of American States, that are the proper forums for presenting evidence of violations of international law. I would add, that I would hope that our diplomats would not subject themselves to the parliamentary procedures of a foreign government. Finally, I am sure that you will agree that whatever the true facts in this matter are-and as I indicated before, they are terribly complicated, with conclusions difficult to draw-that whatever the true facts are, neither the Government of Nicaragua nor, for that matter, the Government of Panama can be considered an impartial witness to the matters before you. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. William Robinson and Mr. Clyde Bryant of the Office of Munitions Control are here and we will respond to your questions. Mr. HUBBARD. Thank you very much, Mr. J. Brian Atwood, of the Department of State, for your comments and testimony. As chairman of the Panama Canal Subcommittee, I would respond by saying this issue is being tried in the international courts of public opinion and in this particular instance, it is my opinion that Panama's actions do indeed violate the charter of the Organization of American States. Next, I would add the Congress hears foreign witnesses quite often and, further, I think it is finally time that we bring to life facts that back up the views of millions of Americans who have opposed the Panama Canal treaties from the outset and also bring up facts regarding the people who are now suffering from the Panamanians' transportation of weapons, terrorism and insurgency into Nicaragua. These questions I would ask, please, Mr. Atwood, of you or Mr. Robinson or Mr. Bryant. Would you describe for the subcommittee the procedures by which an individual applies for a license to export firearms from the United States? Mr. ROBINSON. I am going to ask Mr. Bryant to do that. Mr. BRYANT. The person, be it an individual, partnership or company, whatever, submits an application for a license to export unclassified arms, ammunitions, implements of war to the Department of State. That application is addressed on its own merits and within the Department of State the decision is made as to whether or not that application will be issued. There is a standard form for submitting such an application. Mr. HUBBARD. Does the Munitions Control Office of the Department of State, which is located in suburban Virginia, handle the issuance of export licenses for firearms? Mr. ROBINSON. Yes. Mr. HUBBARD. To the best of your knowledge, did individuals known as James Howell and Antonio Alvarez visit the Munitions Control Office on or about January 24, 1979, seeking an export license? Mr. BRYANT. They visited on January 24, but as I recollect, sir, they had submitted the application prior to that. Mr. HUBBARD. But indeed this year, January 24, James Howell and Antonio Alvarez did visit the Munitions Control Office, seeking an export license? Mr. BRYANT. Yes, sir. Mr. HUBBARD. Do you have a copy of their application or the export license which you could provide for the record? Mr. BRYANT. Yes, sir. Mr. ATWOOD. I have it here, Mr. Chairman. Mr. HUBBARD. Would you please submit that to the clerk for inclusion in the record? [The following was received for the record:] Mr. HUBBARD. Please describe in brief their application; in other words, what type of weapons they sought to export. I am referring again, of course, to James Howell and Antonio Alvarez. Mr. BRYANT. The application was not submitted in the name of Howell or Alvarez, but rather in the name of Public Safety Associates, of which Mr. Howell is an officer. They submitted an application to export 150 .30-caliber M-1 carbines to the Republic of Panama for the foreign consignee, Caza y Pesca. Included on the application was 50,000 rounds of .30-caliber ammunition. Mr. HUBBARD. That name again was Public Safety Associates; is that correct? Mr. BRYANT. Yes, sir. Mr. ROBINSON. Mr. Chairman, may I add something there? Mr. ROBINSON. According to law and our regulations, any individual, and when I say individual, I mean person, or company, or corporation, who is engaged in the manufacture or export of arms, ammunitions, or implements of war, must register with the Office of Munitions Control. This registration is a standard form which the company pays out, they pay a fee of $125 a year or I believe it is $500 for 5 years, and any applicants must be registered with the Office of Munitions Control. Except for a rare case of an individual who is perhaps attempting to export one gun to a friend, something of that nature. Mr. HUBBARD. What was the destination of these weapons? Mr. BRYANT. The ultimate destination is shown as the Republic of Panama. Mr. HUBBARD. OK. Did that license or application indicate the nomenclature of the weapons being shipped? Mr. BRYANT. Yes, sir: .30-caliber M-1. Mr. HUBBARD. Would you describe in detail the weapons which they sought to ship? Mr. BRYANT. It is a weapon. It was first developed and used during World War II as a replacement for the .45-caliber pistol. It is normally described as a carbine as opposed to a rifle. Mr. HUBBARD. What again was the nomenclature or description of those weapons and also how many were there? Mr. BRYANT. There were 150 of them, and they were described as .30-caliber M-1, sporting rifle. Mr. HUBBARD. Do you know if the weapons were actually shipped and, if so, when? Mr. BRYANT. We do not have a record of the weapons being actually shipped. We have been advised that they have been shipped, but we do not have documentation showing that they have been. Mr. HUBBARD. Can you say who advised you of that? Mr. BRYANT. We were advised both by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Customs Service. Mr. HUBBARD. What was the citizenship and employment status of James Howell and Antonio Alvarez at the time of their application? Mr. BRYANT. Mr. Howell is registered with the Department of State as the owner and president of Public Safety Associates, and |