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 German online publication Future Zone for pointing:
http://futurezone.orf.at/futurezone.orf?read=detail&id=1513&tmp=75421
