Letter from the President -- Change in Export Controls for High Performance Computers

Dear Mr. Chairman:

In accordance with the provisions of section 1211(d) of the

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Public Law 105-85), I hereby notify you of my decision to establish a new level for the notification procedure for digital computers set forth in section 1211(a) of Public Law 105-85.  The new level will be 8.0 Weighted TeraFLOPS; the current level is 3.0 Weighted TeraFLOPS.  The attached report provides the rationale supporting this decision and is in accordance with the requirements of Public Law 105-85, sections 1211(d) and (e).

I have made this change based on the recommendation of the Departments of State, Defense, Commerce, and Energy.

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA