30 June 1998
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aaces002.html

See related report: http://jya.com/nsiad-98-208.htm

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Export Controls: Issues Related to the Export of Communications
Satellites (Statement/Record, 06/17/98, GAO/T-NSIAD-98-211).

GAO discussed the evolution of export controls on commercial
communications satellites, focusing on: (1) key elements in the export
control systems of the Department of Commerce and the Department of
State; (2) how export controls for commercial satellites have evolved
over the years; (3) the concerns and issues debated over the transfer of
commercial communications satellites to the export licensing
jurisdiction of Commerce; and (4) the safeguards that may be applied to
commercial satellite exports.

GAO noted that: (1) the U.S. export control system--comprised of both
the Commerce and State systems--is about managing risk; (2) exports to
some countries involve less risk than to other countries and exports of
some items involve less risk than others; (3) the planning of a
satellite launch with technical discussions and exchanges of information
taking place over several months, involves risk no matter which agency
is the licensing authority; (4) recently, events have focused on the
appropriateness of Commerce jurisdiction over communication satellites;
(5) by design, Commerce's system gives greater weight to economic and
commercial concerns, implicitly accepting greater security risks; and
(6) State's system gives primacy to national security and foreign policy
concerns, lessening--but not eliminating--the risk of damage to U.S.
national security interests.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-NSIAD-98-211
     TITLE:  Export Controls: Issues Related to the Export of
             Communications Satellites
      DATE:  06/17/98
   SUBJECT:  Export regulation
             Interagency relations
             Licenses
             Communication satellites
             Foreign trade policies
             International trade restriction
             Jurisdictional authority
             Technology transfer
IDENTIFIER:  China