In fact, with the sharp decline in Russian hard currency earnings, the role of arms, space and nuclear exports has undoubtedly increased in importance as has access to various forms of Western financing.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

This U.S. statute was predicated on the notion that foreign development of Iran's energy sector would bolster Tehran's hard currency earnings which would, in turn, help provide the means for Iran to procure components for weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missile delivery systems and other proscribed items.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

They also claim that the government is feeling the financial pressure: clothing exports to the United States fell by 27% in 2002, for example, cutting into its hard-currency earnings.

ECONOMIST: Myanmar

The Soviet Union stands to be the principal beneficiary of expanded access to energy resources which constitute Moscow's principal source of hard currency earnings and economic leverage against freedom-bound entities within the USSR and against reformist governments in Eastern Europe.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: "Potemkin" Economic Sanctions, Take II