Export Control

[The following are excerpts from the remarks presented to the AIAA Conference held in Washington, D.C., February 20, 2002.]

"What reforms to the U.S. export processes are needed and how can improvements be accelerated?"

This is a question with which I have been wrestling since just after the Secretary of State asked me to be part of his team at the Department of State. September 11, 2001 shifted my focus as it did much of the government, and we lost some time in taking a serious look at how we can make the U.S. Department of State portion of the export control system more responsive to the rest of the agency and the needs of industry, while still ensuring that U.S. security interests are properly served. Finally, I can tell you that I have carefully reviewed every and I mean every report and proposal dealing with the defense export control system that has crossed my desk in the last year. I am happy to take the opportunity today to talk about a number of steps we are taking that should markedly improve and enhance the Department of State's ability to license the export of defense articles, services, and information. …

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