    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [June 7, 1991]
    [Pages 625-626]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on Supercomputer Export Controls
    June 7, 1991

        In November 1990 President Bush called for efforts to improve the
    multilateral application of export controls on high performance
    computers. Based on that initiative, the United States and Japan on June
    6 concluded consultations on supercomputer export controls. Both
    Governments share the view that supercomputers are of strategic concern,
    particularly for the development of nuclear weapons and missiles, and
    that great importance should be attached to export controls on
    supercomputers for the purpose of preventing the proliferation of such
    weapons.
        The consultations will assist supercomputer suppliers by
    streamlining procedures for supercomputer exports to many free-world
    trading partners. The bulk of U.S. supercomputer exports are to Western
    Europe and Japan.
        Supercomputers are defined as computers above the 195 million
    theoretical operations per second (Mtops) level. The consultations
    address procedures the United States and Japan have applied to
    supercomputer exports in recent years.
        For exports to countries that pose a national security or
    proliferation concern, such as countries that have not signed the
    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, strict safeguards against misuse are
    required. Depending on the destination and circum-

    [[Page 626]]

    stances, some applications may be denied. The United States and Japan
    will consult with each other prior to each supercomputer export to such
    countries.
        The United States and Japan hope to establish a more effective
    control system by seeking the cooperation of several European countries
    with emerging supercomputer suppliers.
        Details of the procedures and safeguards will be published by the
    Commerce Department in the Federal Register to provide guidance to U.S.
    exporters.

                        Note: The Office of the Press Secretary issued a
                            fact sheet on the same day which provided
                            additional information on supercomputer export
                            controls.