From: softwa19@us.net (Charles R. Smith) Newsgroups: talk.politics.crypto Date: Tue, 26 Dec 1995 16:55:09 GMT RSA CEO/President D. James Bidzos, in a speech before the Commonwealth Club of California, openly stated his opposition to current USML/ITAR controls. "We stand to lose a significant part of our industry due to export controls", said Bidzos in the taped address shown on C-Span 12/25/95. The recent teaming of Sun with ex-Soviet programmers to avoid U.S. export controls on encryption was cited by Bidzos as an example of exactly how jobs and opportunities are being forced off shore by U.S. policy. Bidzos statements echo the remarks from Microsoft CEO, Bill Gates, who also lashed out at federal export restrictions in his comments before the National Press Club in early Decemeber. This author noted some months ago the teaming of Ernst & Young and SOFTWARE (AG), a german based software firm, to provide encryption security with no import regulations. Foreign companies are allowed freely to compete in the U.S. domestic market while U.S. citizens are restricted from the international market. This imbalance costs american jobs, taxes, rapidly erodes our lead in this important area of science and is unfair. The regulations, instead of limiting access to foriegn criminals and terrorists, has led to a U.S. funded explosion of better off-shore products that are beyond law enforcement control. In fact, the Federal government not only encourages this effort but even has a multi-million dollar contract with SOFTWARE (AG). The time for these regulations has clearly passed. Yet, our government is not geared for quick action, nor will self-seeking bureaucrats ever be convinced to let go. The world, however, will quickly leave us behind unless we act soon. 1 if by land, 2 if by sea. Paul Revere - encryption 1775 Charles R. Smith - President SOFTWAR, Richmond VA http://www.ultimate.org/2292/