Weldon Pushes for Increased
Defense Department Oversight
of U.S. Export Licensing and Policy
Clinton-Gore Administration Approved Export of Sensitive Technologies to ChinaJune 9, 1999 WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Curt Weldon moved today to address some of the glaring problems with the relaxation of export controls under the Clinton-Gore Administration that allowed China to obtain sensitive technologies, offering two amendments to the FY 2000 Defense Authorization Bill that will strengthen the Department of Defense oversight of technology control policy. The amendments were approved by the House of Representatives by voice votes, yet must still be reconciled with the Senate version of the Defense Bill.
"Much of the news coverage of the Cox Committee report has focused on the security of our nuclear labs," stated Congressman Weldon, who served as one of nine members of the Select Committee. "But in my eyes, the greatest damage to our national security resulted from the Clinton-Gore Adminsitartion's decision to allow the export and sale of sensitive technologies to foreign nations, including China."
"These amendments are an attempt to begin right the grevious wrongs done under the Clinton-Gore Admisnistartion and ensure that our most sensitive technolgies are protected," said Weldon.
"My first amendment requires the Department of Defense, in consultation with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to provide Congress with an annual report assessing the cumulative impact of individual U.S. export licenses granted to countries of concern to the U.S," said Weldon. "'Countries of concern' are those recognized by the State Department as terrorist nations, and Computer Tier 3 nations where we currently restrict computer exports. Each report would assess the impact of all licenses approved to date on the military capabilities of countries of concern, whether those improved capabilities would harm U.S. military capabilities, and whether U.S. countermeasures would be required to compensate for the improved foreign capabilities. As I noted, the assessment would be cumulative, with each report building on the data of the previous year."
"Why is this reporting requirement so important? Because the Department of Defense provides recommendations on license applications, but it currently has no mechanism for considering the cumulative impact of those which are approved. While the Department might approve export of a particular widget, it might oppose future licenses for items that used in combination with that widget would provide a complete capability which would otherwise be denied. Moreover, when complete system license applications are denied, there are attempts to secure that item through the piecemeal component license applications. Thus, the Department might be inclined to disapprove an export license for any component which could contribute to the assembly of a whole system that we want to withhold. Requiring a comprehensive review of all licenses will help prevent the approval of future licenses which enable the piecemeal acquisition of sensitive U.S. technologies. More important, it will bring the Joint Chiefs into this process, increasing the service leaders awareness of the implications for U.S. security and future requirements."
"My second amendment would reinstate the Defense Technology Security Agency (DTSA) as a separate agency., and allow it to play its rightful role in shaping technology transfer policy," stated Weldon. "While I supported the consolidation of several agencies into the Defense Threat Reduction Agency last year, I am concerned that this consolidation has exacerbated the diminishment of its Technology Security Division (staffed by former Defense Technology Security Agency personnel) in shaping technology transfer policy. Conversely, the consolidation has heightened the role of Acquisition types geared towards reducing their overhead costs through export, joint developments and cooperative programs. Now more than ever, we must ensure that export control policy remains a priority within the Department, and that more, not less attention is given to licensing recommendations and related policy."
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