CBS Evening News just reported that Clinton has "tenatively signed off" on a National ID card recommended to him by a commission on immigration reform. The obstensive reason for the card is for employment and immigration. Each card will contain a name, photo, mag stripe with info and a "verified SSN." It was supported by Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming, a long-time supporter of id cards. Gov. Pete Wilson of California has apparently offered to make California a test-bed for the proposal. The proposal was opposed by Xavier Beccera, a Congressman from California. A previous effort to impose a national id card was rejected by Congress in 1986. EPIC is working with Privacy International to investigate this report. PI has led successful campaigns aginst national id cards in Australia, New Zealand, and the Phillipines. In Australia, the PI-led campaign led to the dissolution of both houses of the federal Parliament in 1987 after hundrends of thousands marched in protest. The Australian campaign brought together groups from all parts of the political spectrum from the Communist Party to the Libertarian Alliance, farmers and conservation groups, rock stars, academics, large businesses such as banks and mining corporations, but the overwhelming support came from the public who created the biggest civil protest in Australian history. David Banisar (banisar@epic.org) Electronic Privacy Information Center 666 Penn. Ave, SE #301, Washington, DC 20003 202-544-9240 (v) 202-547-5482 (f)