Export Controls: Statutory Reporting Requirements for Computers Not Fully Addressed
NSIAD-00-45
Published: Nov 05, 1999. Publicly Released: Nov 18, 1999.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the executive branch's report on high performance computer export controls, focusing on: (1) whether the July 1999 report to Congress satisfied the requirements of the Fiscal Year 1998 National Defense Authorization Act; (2) whether the report was factually supported; and (3) how many high performance computers at the current control levels have been approved for export to certain sensitive countries.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Commerce | To clarify the basis for future changes to the export control levels for high performance computers, the Secretary of Commerce should develop specific criteria defining both "widely available" and "controllability." |
While the Department of Commerce provided a statement of actions taken in response to this recommendation on February 16, 2000, the Department failed to provide both of the definitions asked for in the recommendation. Further, the definition for "controllability" provided by the Department lacked the specificity called for in the recommendation that would clearly explain how these terms are applied in setting the proposed control levels. The actions are inadequate to comply with the recommendation and are therefore not fully responsive. As stated in their letter, the Department considers action on this recommendation closed. The recommendation is therefore closed.
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Topics
Computer industryDual-use technologiesExport regulationForeign governmentsForeign trade policiesInternal controlsInternational trade restrictionReporting requirementsSupercomputersTechnology transfer