U.S. investigates Silicon Graphics's sales of computers to Russian weapons lab

Article Abstract:

Silicon Graphics is under investigation by the U.S. Commerce Dept for its sale of supercomputers to a Russian nuclear weapons laboratory. The sale may violate recent Clinton Administration regulations that require special licensing for sales of supercomputers. The Silicon Graphics computers sold to the All-Russian Scientific Research Center for Technical Physics, a once-secret laboratory, are believed to be the first supercomputers sold to Russia, and are at least 10 times as powerful as their previous systems. Supercomputers are used to test weapon designs. Silicon Graphics claims they had no knowledge that the $650,000 systems were going to Russian nuclear labs. The Clinton Administration previously rejected applications from IBM and HP to sell supercomputers to the Russian labs. Viktor Mikhailov, head of the Ministry of Atomic Energy, announced the purchase on Jan 14, saying the supercomputers would be used for simulations of nuclear explosions.

Supercomputers, Supercomputer

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U.S strategy should promote computer codes; panel says a free market is best policy, urges easing of exports

Article Abstract:

The National Research Council (NRC) releases a report recommending that the US government should reduce its role in setting standards for data security and loosen restrictions over the exportation of electronic data coding products. The NRC study recommends that the standards process be left primarily to private segments of the computer, software and telecommunications industries. The study also recommends promoting rather than discouraging the commercial use of current encryption technologies, despite government fears about law enforcement agencies not being able to wiretap citizens. The NRC panel contends that the reduction in computer-related crime that would come from improved encryption standards would compensate for a reduction in the ability of law enforcement officers to track criminal activity. The report further contradicts existing US policy regarding the control over the export of encryption codes.

Electronic Computer Manufacturing, Computers & Auxiliary Equip, Standards, United States, Standard, Standardization, Political aspects, Data security, Data security issue

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Export controls on computers to be relaxed; decision by Clinton is part of an effort to revamp cold war-era controls

Article Abstract:

Pres Clinton relaxes computer export restrictions imposed during the Cold War era. The deregulation involves a projected $20 billion in sales involving the latest generation of desktop and mainframe computers officially designated as supercomputers. The move is part of a strategy by which the government is secretly reevaluating its former efforts to limit the proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The Clinton administration is establishing a policy that would allow US firms to sell high-technology products internationally while controlling the spread of weapons by offering incentives to the importing countries. The lifted controls are in affect only for export to allied countries in Western Europe and elsewhere, but further deregulation is expected for such technologies as telecommunications and satellites to be exported to Third World and Eastern European countries.

Microcomputers, High technology, International trade, Deregulation, International trade regulation, Microcomputer, Government Regulation

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