Feds promise arms export reforms

Valley Press on ^ | Thursday, November 15, 2007. | JIM SKEEN

[BenLurkin]

Space advocates are cheering reports that the federal government is planning to revise the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, rules they say have unintentionally hampered business while trying to prevent critical technologies from falling into the wrong hands. Joseph Rouge, associate director of the National Space Security Office, told a recent gathering of space industry officials that the federal government is in the process of adjusting the rules, referred to as ITAR, and that reforms could come as early as this spring. Rouge made the remarks before the annual Transforming Space Conference in Los Angeles.

"The military critical technology list is out of date and we will fix that," Rouge said. "The system is too slow and not responsive enough, and we'll be fixing that, too."

Rouge, who focused his remarks on changes in space policy that have occurred during the current Bush administration, said that his agency has recently completed an extensive study, fed by industry input, on barriers to U.S. business caused by ITAR. Representatives from Boeing and Northrop Grumman, major Antelope Valley employers, served on the panel examing the rules.

Rouge told the gathering that he can now substantiate many of the anecdotes of ITAR flaws that he has heard from the industry over the years with real evidence.

Andrea Seastrand, Executive Director of CSA, responded to the news with enthusiasm. "The California Space Authority is heartened to learn that the federal government will soon address the unintended consequences of the current ITAR policies and procedures," said Andrea Seastrand, CSA's executive director. We've sought improvements to these policies and procedures through the education of public officials since 1999. It's a welcome sound to hear that our voice is finally being heard. We stand ready to work with the National Space Security Office to implement the changes."

[AntiKev]

Space ping.

[EagleUSA]

Yeah, and the Federal government once said it was its job to protect our borders too, and to provide a goverment for and by the people....yada,yada,yada.....someone is going to turn a buck on this one...