Several members of the audience

Several members of the audience questioned continuing revelations about private companies selling sensitive technology to communist ' countries, most recently the Toshiba scandal. The Japanese electronics giant admitted that one of its subsidiaries sold restricted goods in violation of export controls. Two top Japanese officials in the company subsequently resigned in disgrace.

“We need to tighten up on technology transfers,” the congressman said, “especially to communist countries. We have passed bills to do that.” Regarding the Toshiba scandal, he added that “I don’t know if we can retaliate effectively. I hope we can. The Japanese government’s reaction,” he noted, “was better than they have been given credit for.” He pointed out the “unprecedented” resignations of the two senior officials responsible for the sale.

Another question dealt with the government’s power to restrict United States firms from “backing the Soviets ... it seems like treason” - for example, the Exxon Corporation’s refining Soviet oil and then selling it to the Sandanista government in Nicaragua. Does the government have the power to enforce such restrictions, Mr. Slaughter was asked.

“I agree with you,” he replied, “But the answer is no. Quite a few people advocate American/Soviet trade.” Concerning the oil sales, he said, “We absolutely should not be doing it . . . (but) I don’t know if we’ve got the support to pass legislation.”

Cooperating in foreign affairs

Mr. Slaughter said that one of the^gst pressing problems facing the country is finding compromise in the conduct of foreign policy. “We need the leadership of the president,” while he acknowledged that Congress has some oversight role as well But “we have to convince Congress not to be a Secretary of State.”

“A bi-partisan foreign policy is