U.S. drops plan to restrict foreign researchers

EE Times ^ | 06/09/2006 | George Leopold

[indthkr]

(06/09/2006 10:51 AM EDT)

WASHINGTON — The Commerce Department has withdrawn proposed changes to export rules that would have tighten restrictions on foreign researchers working in the U.S.

The department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) said last week it is withdrawing two "deemed" exports proposals that originated with the Defense Department. They would have limited foreign researchers' access to sensitive U.S. technologies.

According to the Commerce Department, "An export of technology or source code (except encryption source code) is 'deemed' to take place when it is released to a foreign national within the United States."

The bureau said in a ruling published in the Federal Register that it "determined that the current licensing requirement based upon a foreign national's country of citizenship or permanent residency is appropriate."

The Pentagon was seeking to tighten restrictions on deemed exports to restrict the flow of technical knowledge to potential enemies. The new restrictions would have among other things affected contracts for classified scientific research involving foreign nationals.

Universities and research groups vigorously opposed the plan in comments filed with the Commerce Department. BIS said its decision to withdraw the proposals reflected most of the public comments filed in response to a proposed rulemaking.

"Almost without exception, the comments stated clear opposition to [a] recommendation that deemed export licenses be based on a foreign national's country of birth rather than country of citizenship," it said.

[indthkr]

No surprise here.

Most of the 2nd and 3rd tier engineering schools would be put out of business practically overnight based on the original plan. They probably just gained back 5 or 10 years of survival.

[gubamyster]

ping

[coconutt2000]

I hope the Commerce Dpt. and Defense Dpt. made it clear to those who objected that if they fail to protect the information and technology through the use of reasonable measures the rules would be reviewed again.

[Anticommie]

U.S. drops plan to restrict foreign researchers

"researchers"?

It should read: U.S. drops plan to restrict foreign spies.

[indthkr]

ping

[VOA]

They would have limited foreign researchers' access to sensitive U.S. technologies.

Somebody ought to tape open the eyes of these bureaucrats and make
them sit through the segment on Steve Jobs' visits to the Xerox research
center. And note what happened to Xerox and Apple in the following years.
(this was covered in some PBS special about a decade ago, "Triumph of The Nerds"?)

And be reminded that it's one thing for fools (Xerox) to give away
ideas to business competitors...
and another to give away the keys to the kingdom (in terms of
items usable in defense)

[hedgetrimmer]

How about Wen Ho Lee? Do we need his friends to come through our nuclear test labs too? We haven't gotten our fill of being ripped off yet? Oh wait, there might be one or two tiny secrets the Chinese haven't gotten yet. They paid good money for our politicians. We can't let them down.

[Dat Mon]

Thanks for the ping.

This all gets back to a point Ive tried to make in regards to developing new weapons systems, and the attrition rate of native born engineers and scientists.

It is much much easier, and less time consuming, to do a thorough background check on a native born citizen...when they apply for a high security clearance.

Frankly, I don't see how foreign born people form countries like China can be cleared...given China's past practice of espionage.

This is one reason why we MUST have a good supply of native born US engineers, to stay on top of the heap with military weapons technology.

These are areas which, of course...Tom Friedman and company don't give much thought to.

[doc30]

It should read: U.S. drops plan to restrict foreign spies.

Read the articel carefully. The proposed restrictions would be based upon a person's place of birth, and not current citizenship. SO U.S. citizens would be considered foreigners and could not be invovled in defense research. Such a requirement would mean tha Von Braun, the father of the U.S. rocket program, would not have been allowed to do his research. And Albert Einstein would not be permitted to work on defense research. And what about Oppenheimer? Historically and up to today, much of the key research done in the U.S., including defense research, has been done by people born in other countries.

[GOP_1900AD]

How cowardly. The US is the only nation on earth that allows more than a few highly vetted foreigners from linquistically similar allied countries to work in its weapons labs. DIVERRRRRRRsity.... TOLLLLLLLLerance .... LIBBBBBBBBerlism ...

[WFBFan]

"Historically and up to today, much of the key research done in the U.S., including defense research, has been done by people born in other countries."

Actually, this isn't particularly true. Especially today.

[doc30]

I would love to see an actual breakdown of where scientists in the U.S. were originally born. Do you have a link?

[WFBFan]

"would love to see an actual breakdown of where scientists in the U.S. were originally born. Do you have a link?"

Not off-hand, but I do know what I see.