And leverage over issues like nuclear technology transfers and missile sales is best exercised through special mechanisms governing sensitive exports.

During those same years, Washington unwisely relaxed controls over militarily sensitive exports to increase opportunities for commercial gain, a tendency that grew during the Clinton Administration.

Cocom opened its doors to former Communist countries and urged them to join in controlling sensitive exports to nations threatening global security.

A study we recently completed shows that the Commerce Department approved more than $15 billion worth of strategically sensitive exports to China in the last decade.

In a nutshell, the State Department considers national security implications for sensitive exports, while the Commerce Department also weighs American commercial interests.

Soon after, the Bonn Government approved plans to broaden its control over strategically sensitive exports and to tighten export controls.

The Government also plans to establish committees to review potentially sensitive exports, expand export control staffs and increase Japan's participation in Comcon.

In this way, satellites became the main category of sensitive exports still allowed to China.

And the staff for policing sensitive exports is woefully inadequate, making it easy for an unscrupulous operator to evade controls.

Germany has been accused of taking an overly passive role in the military standoff in the gulf and in monitoring sensitive exports.