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Published: 1999

Total Pages: 32

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The U.S. government controls the export of high performance computers to certain countries based on foreign policy and national security concerns. The Commerce Department considers a high performance computer to be one that exceeds a defined performance threshold, thus requiring an export license. In a July 1999 report, the executive branch described its plans to change the controls on the exports of high performance computers by increasing the level of computing performance for which export licenses would be required. The executive branch last modified controls on high performance computers in January 1996. In the Fiscal Year 1998 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 105-85, sec. 1211, Nov. 1997), Congress required the executive branch to provide a report justifying proposed changes to export controls on computers. The act requires the report, at a minimum, to (1) address the extent to which high performance computers with capabilities between the established level and the new proposed level of performance are available from other countries, (2) address all potential uses of military significance to which high performance computers at the new levels could be applied, and (3) assess the impact of potential military uses on U.S. national security interests.