U.S. Computer Industry Praises Bush Policy on Export Controls

Washington, D.C. -- The Computer Coalition for Responsible Exports (CCRE) today praised Governor George W. Bush`s position on computer export controls, as outlined in the Bush campaign`s technology policy paper. "The Bush position recognizes what common sense already tells us-you cannot control products that are already available on the global market. Computers and chips are becoming faster and more powerful everyday, and are widely available from international sources," said Rhett Dawson, Co-Chairman of CCRE and President of the Information Technology Industry Council. "This is a very positive development, and one we hope will continue to gain momentum."

Among the points outlined by the Bush campaign, CCRE noted the importance of the following:

Recognition that "too often, the federal government`s export policies are arbitrary and irrational" ... and that "our national security and commercial competitiveness have been compromised by a broken export control system." Commitment to developing a common sense export control policy "that significantly narrows the scope of restrictions on commercial products, while building high walls around technologies of the highest sensitivity." Support for reauthorization of the Export Administration Act, with provisions allowing companies to export products when those products are readily available in foreign or mass markets. Recognition of the ineffectiveness of unilateral controls and the need to "revitalize multilateral cooperation to control the proliferation of the most critical technologies." Establishment of the President`s Technology Export Council (PTEC). more-

"We are extremely pleased with what appears to be a very serious commitment by the Bush campaign to fix the current export control system," said Dan Hoydysh, CCRE Co-Chairman and Unisys Director of Trade Policy. "We are in complete agreement that outdated computer export restrictions needlessly penalize U.S. businesses without strengthening our national security."

CCRE is committed to promoting and protecting U.S. national security interests, and seeks to work in close partnership with the U.S. government to ensure that America`s economic, national security, and foreign policy goals are realized. Members of CCRE believe that a strong, competitive computer industry is critical to U.S. national and economic security and contributes significantly to U.S. economic and technological leadership.

CCRE members include Apple Computer, Inc., Compaq Computer Corporation, Data General Corporation, Dell Computer Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM Corporation, Intel Corporation, NCR Corporation, SGI, Sun Microsystems, Inc., Unisys Corporation, the American Electronics Association (AEA), the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), the Computer Systems Policy Project (CSPP), Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). For more information about CCRE and the issues surrounding export controls, visit the CCRE website at: www.ccre.net