In that report, the GAO raised a number of concerns over the industrial base assessments by the Navy, and most importantly, by the Commerce Department. For example, the Navy's analysis did not take into account the potential Korean competition against United States companies for the spare parts market. The Commerce Department is directed by law to conduct an independent assessment of the MOU to include the impact on the U.S. industrial base. However, Commerce could not provide the GAO any evidence of an analysis of the industrial base impacts. I would urge all Members and their staffs to review this report which, by the way, is classified.
Arms sales are, of course, a form of foreign commerce.
It is imperative that Congress have all the necessary information to carry out this responsibility, including any relevant memorandum of understanding. Congress needs to see the MOU and all related documents. We need to see the details of the offset arrangements. We need to know the details of what kind of technology is being transferred. Just last week, Mr. President, the Office of Technology Assessment pointed out in its report on global arms trade that the United States has transferred defense technology on 12 major weapons systems to South Korea.