Copyright 2000 Times Mirror Company
Los Angeles Times
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February 2, 2000, Wednesday,
Home Edition
SECTION: Business; Part C; Page 3; Financial Desk
LENGTH: 158 words
HEADLINE: MORE ON TECH;
CLINTON EASES
COMPUTER EXPORT CONTROLS
BYLINE: Bloomberg News
BODY:
President Clinton relaxed U.S. controls on the export of high-powered computers
and called on Congress to shorten the six-month period companies must wait for
the looser rules to take effect. But the administration disappointed companies
such as Intel and Compaq Computer by rejecting their calls to ease controls
enough to allow unrestricted sales of a new high-powered Intel microchip to
Russia, China, Pakistan and other countries considered security risks.
Export controls are set by computing speed, which is measured in so-called
multiple theoretical operations per second, or Mtops. Computer companies say
technology quickly outpaces Mtop limits, making it an outdated control-setting
method. The administration raised export limits to 12,500 Mtops from the 6,500
limit set in '99.
The administration must balance computer companies' need to sell overseas with
U.S. concerns that the technology could be used by terrorists.
LOAD-DATE: February 2, 2000
