In hearings last month. the Armed Services Committee heard testimony about the enthusiasm at all levels in the Republics for U.S. business knowhow and direct investment. A number of American firms are already exploring joint ventures. But the committee also heard discouraging evidence of bureaucratic red tape in our own country. such as State Department delays in processing visas for Soviet visitors. and excessive Commerce Department reticence in issuing export licenses. This is not U.S. leadership. The President should be encouraging these and other agencies to be aggressive in facilitating U.S. business activity of this typenot making it harder for creative ventures to blossom.