You may have heard of some of the problems we have had at our nuclear weapons labs. Many of these issues relate to intangible transfers. Controlled nuclear secrets can be whisked out of the country over the Internet in an instant today. The results of millions of dollars of research and development can fit onto a floppy disk and be carried overseas in a shirt pocket. We have conducted several investigations involving technical data disclosures at our national labs.
Scientists love to share information.
We have worked long and hard to educate the scientists at our national labs about their export control responsibilities. We have held seminars and spoken at lab training sessions. Education is our best weapon to prevent violations. Another case involves the oral exchange of controlled information between a U.S. party and a foreign national. This visit was not mentioned on the visa application nor did the individual visit the fairly benign U.S. business that was listed on the application.