Supercomputer Export Curbs Planned

The United States and Japan have agreed to tighten export controls on supercomputers that are used in the development of nuclear weapons and missiles, the White House announced Friday.

White House press secretary Marlin Fitzwater said: “Great importance should be attached to export controls on supercomputers for the purpose of preventing the proliferation of such weapons.”

The two nations concluded consultations on more restrictions on export of the high-performance computers as a result of a warning by President Bush last November.

“Both governments share the view that supercomputers are of strategic concern, particularly for the development of nuclear weapons and missiles,” Fitzwater said.

Supercomputers are defined as computers above the 195 million theoretical operations per second level. The consultations that will continue in the future will address procedures the United States and Japan have applied to supercomputer exports in recent years.

Strict safeguards against misuse of the supercomputers were laid down for exports to countries “that pose a national security or proliferation concern,” such as those that have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Fitzwater said.

Furthermore, he said, depending on the destination and circumstances, some applications may be denied.

“The United States and Japan will consult with each other prior to each supercomputer export to such countries,” he said.

He added that 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.

The new restrictions include:

* Constant monitoring of supercomputers by security personnel.

* Inspection of computer programs and software, including audits of computer activities.

* Limitations on access to the computer by certain individuals.

* Limitations on the types of computer programs that can be used.