Export control on computers to India, Pak relaxed by US

Export control on computers to India, Pak relaxed by US
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Washington, Feb 2: The US has announced easing of export controls on certain computers to India and some other countries ``to reflect realities of today's marketplace''.

An order signed by President Bill Clinton in this direction will allow shipments to India, Pakistan, South and Central America, most of Africa, South Korea, China, Vietnam, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, central Europe and other areas, a White House statement said here yesterday.

The order was drafted after a review of changes in the computer industry and US security interests since a 1995 ruling on export controls took effect.``We have loosened some requirements to reflect the realities of today's marketplace," White House spokesman Jake Siewart said.

The decision envisages raise of the individual licensing levels for India, Pakistan, China, Vietnam, the former Soviet Union, central Europe, the Middle East and much of North Africa from 6,500 to 12,500 mtops (million theoretical operations per second) for military end-usersand from 12,300 to 20,000 mtops for civilian end-users.