Germany Frees Crypto

[John Young]

The German cabinet today released a policy statement on
the unrestricted use of encryption (an English translation 
would be welcome):

   http://www.bmwi.de/presse/1999/0602prm1.html

It says, pardon my German, that for worldwide protection 
against economic espionage and electronic interception 
strongest encryption is to be allowed Germans, and the 
German crypto industry will be supported to develop 
superior products. And, though unrestricted encryptoon
that may mean its increased usage for criminal purposes, the
need for protection of commerce overrides; a report on 
criminal use is to be prepared and submitted within two 
years.

Echelon is not specifically mentioned, but it hovers. France
and Germany, who would have thought they'd feel threatened
by UKUSA.

Thanks to the online publication Future Zone for pointing:

   http://futurezone.orf.at/futurezone.orf?read=detail&id=1513&tmp=75421