By Marina Malenic
Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ decision to remain in office for another year was hailed as a positive development in efforts to revamp what many in industry see as an archaic export control system in the United States.
“DoD is looming large over almost everything that we’re talking about here,” Remy Martin, the Aerospace Industries Association vice president for international affairs, said yesterday. “Having them as an ally is critical, and you need to have someone at the highest levels focused on it.”
The current, decades-old export control regime was created with the intent to safeguard sensitive dual-use technologies. Many in industry say the overly strict rules harm U.S. commercial competitiveness.
The Obama administration in August initiated a comprehensive review of U.S. export controls by an interagency task force. Gates is seen as a critical to the debate, according to several members of the Coalition for Security and Competitiveness (CSC), an industry advocacy group. Frank Vargo of the National Association of Manufacturers said yesterday that his extensive experience with export control issues and the respect he garners across party lines will help the administration’s efforts. Gates has dealt with the issue as director of the CIA, as deputy National Security Adviser and as the president of Texas A&M University.
“He has been one of the strongest advocates of reform,” Vargo said. “He was instrumental in getting the president to announce this effort in the first place.”
CSC yesterday released detailed policy recommendations for the overhaul. Objectives include:
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Promoting effective compliance and enforcement;
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Improving outreach to and resources for U.S. industry, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises;
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Promoting greater multilateral cooperation with allies and partners; and
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Improving the licensing system and increase transparency.
“We believe changes must be made to the current system to make sure it is aligned with our current security needs and the realities of the global technological environment, and–as a practical matter–operates in a more predictable, transparent and efficient manner,” the group stated in a letter sent to key administration officials.
The letter was sent on behalf of the Coalition’s member associations, which include the Aerospace Industries Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the National Defense Industrial Association, the Satellite Industry Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and over a dozen others.
Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, has introduced legislation to overhaul the system. But CSC representatives said yesterday that much of the agenda can be achieved by the executive branch through administrative measures.