The United States had provided $27 million in aid that could be used only for nonmilitary purposes and equipment.

Mr. Shultz said the money could later be applied solely to nonmilitary purposes if the peace plan were proceeding.

A State Department official said that the chemicals and technology used in making chemical weapons were similar to those used in the manufacture of pesticides and other products intended for nonmilitary purposes.

Navy officials see less need for bases they admit had another, nonmilitary purpose: winning friends and influencing politicians who would support other naval projects.

Mr. Mikhailov wrote back the next month saying some of the computers the Russians wanted were for nonmilitary purposes.

Mr. Michel had initially proposed providing the rebels, who are known as contras, with aid that could be used for both military and nonmilitary purposes.

Because the equipment was purely for nonmilitary purposes, the e-mail added, "we do not need the government's approval."

Mr. Lilley's statement said the export of chemicals would be permitted where the Government was satisfied that "they were to be used for nonmilitary purposes."

Some military and business officials have urged that Japan build such satellites on its own, but the companies said today that they used the Contam software for entirely nonmilitary purposes.

But its usefulness has diminished so much that it has frequently been used for nonmilitary purposes like housing Cuban and Haitian refugees in the 1980's.