The committee also approved amendments proposed by Kerry that would give jurisdiction over crypto exports to a nine-member "Encryption Export Advisory Board." The panel would "evaluate whether [a] market exists abroad" and make non-binding recommendations to the
Sen. Kerry is not as extreme as Sen. Kerrey, but he still is an enemy of strong encryption. I wrote last year: president. <<<< Here's what he's been up to recently... -Declan KERRY: DAMAGE CONTROL Boston Globe's Black reports, Boston atty Robert Crowe on 12/29 resigned as chair of Sen. John Kerry's (D) camp. finance cmte "in response to negative publicity that featured his ties" to Kerry. Crowe, "a longtime close personal friend and financial supporter" of Kerry's, "reportedly decided that he had had enough of critical newspaper stories, sources close to Kerry said." Kerry, responding to the resignation which he termed "understandable": "Bob Crowe has done an outstanding job for me, often at the expense of his own personal life." Crowe had "made headlines" recently in regard to his role as a lobbyist for Boston's Big Dig and his work for a firm hired by the Swiss Bankers Assn. Kerry's finance cmte will be "'streamlined'" and headed by Peter Maroney who was hired by the campaign last fall (12/30). CHUNG CONNECTION? A Los Angeles Times article by Rempel & Miller reported that Kerry received $10K in '97 from Dem contributor Johnny Chung following Chung's "high-level meeting" with SEC officials, arranged for him by Kerry's office soon after he paid a visit there. A Kerry spokesperson "confirmed that Kerry's office contacted the SEC" on Chung's behalf, "but she said it involved no more than helping arrange "'a tour.'" The DoJ is investigating the contribution which Chung is said to have made through several employees and others whom he reimbursed. Kerry spokesperson Tovah Ravitz "acknowledged" that Chung was approached for a donation "'numerous times because they were nearing the end of a tough campaign.'" Although Ravitz said Kerry's office arranged a tour for Chung, SEC officials "said the request on behalf of Chung involved a briefing session" (12/24). Boston Globe's Zitner follows up on the Times story, reporting that Chung's visit to the SEC "was something more than a casual tour but something less than special access to high government official, the SEC said." Kerry's Ravitz said Chung made the request for a stop at the SEC during an 8/96 visit, accompanied by other Asian businessmen, to Kerry's office. Chung and the others visited the SEC later the same day (12/25). On 12/26, USA Today reported that Ravitz said the Times was incorrect in its initial report (12/26). 01/05 12:35