---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: seward@netcom.ca (John Savard) Newsgroups: sci.crypt,alt.politics.org.nsa Subject: Re: Interesting crypto news Date: Thu, 03 Apr 1997 20:05:44 GMT NEVADA (Reuter) -- Researchers today announced a breakthrough in quantum computing which will greatly ease the creation of computing engines containing quantum gates constructed from atomic traps. Previously this was thought to be an extremely difficult task, but thanks to some astounding new breakthroughs by scientists at Lab 13, a previously unknown research division at Nellis AFB in Nevada, the construction of advanced quantum computers should now become routine. "An initial consignment of 3 acres of quantum computers has already been shipped to a government agency, and we expect to begin shipping products to other organisations within the next few years" said an Air Force spokesperson. WASHINGTON (Reuter) -- In a surprise move, the Clinton administration today announced moves to lift restrictions on the export of strong encryption technology. For years the government has argued that it needs the ability to crack strong encryption to thwart the Soviets, and then after they went away, to catch criminals and terrorists. The new move to allow the free export of encryption has suprised the industry. "We're surprised" said a Microsoft spokesperson who asked to remain anonymous. Law enforcement officials were more forthcoming: "We are now satisfied that we can handle any problems caused by the widespread use of strong encryption" said FBI director Louis Freeh. The articles were posted on March 31st...clearly a day too soon. However, it's not to soon to think about designing ciphers that even three acres of quantum computers would find it daunting to crack... John Savard -- Justin Burke <jburke@alt255.com> To get my PGP key, send a message with the subject "get-pgp-key".