U.S. Computer Industry Endorses New Export
Control Proposal
Washington, D.C. -- The Computer Coalition for
Responsible Exports (CCRE) called today`s announcement by the White
House raising computer export control thresholds "a positive step
that will hopefully lead to the development of a more rational and
effective export control system."
"We appreciate the Administration`s recognition
that if U.S. companies are to remain competitive in the global
market, they must be allowed to export common business computers,"
said Lou Gerstner, Chairman and CEO of IBM Corporation and
Co-Chairman of CCRE. "However, today`s announcement represents only
a short-term fix. The introduction of more powerful commodity
microprocessors due in the next few months will soon render the new
thresholds obsolete. It is clear that we need to continue to work
with the Administration and Congress to develop a new framework for
advancing American technology while protecting our national security
interests."
The new threshold for exports to Tier III
countries will not take effect until the completion of a 6-month
Congressional review period; this review is required by law. When
effective, computers with an MTOPS (millions of theoretical
operations per second) level up to 12,500 may be exported without a
license to 50 countries, including China, Russia and Israel.
CCRE has reported that Intel`s new Itanium chip, due for
introduction in the second half of 2000, will perform at a level of
6,132 MTOPS. A business server, utilizing four Itanium
microprocessors will thus perform at 23,731 MTOPS. "We are troubled
that U.S.-manufactured four-way servers -- which are standard
equipment in many commercial establishments -- will be subject to
burdensome export controls while at the same time, comparable
equipment from foreign producers will not be subject to control,"
said Lawrence A. Weinbach, Chairman and CEO of Unisys Corporation
and Co-Chair of CCRE.
"Unless these new thresholds are
revised before Itanium servers hit the market, we risk undermining
U.S. competitiveness without accomplishing any significant national
security objective. We believe government resources would be better
spent monitoring truly sensitive items rather than commercial
computers that are widely available on the global market," said Ken
Kay, Executive Director of CCRE.
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, 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), the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), and
the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI).
For more
information about CCRE and the issues surrounding export controls,
visit the CCRE website at: www.ccre.net.
|