On Thursday, September 25, 1997 11:34 AM, Tim May [SMTP:tcmay@got.net] wrote:

The NETCenter is largely duplicative, though will be much less effective, than the NSA. I strongly urge Aaron and others to review the history and capabilities (and limitations) of the NSA.

Sure, it is duplicative. However, for this thing to become law, I envision a rather dramatic shift in the organization of our intelligence institutions. Or at least a change in some of the building names at Ft. Meade :)

(The NSA sometimes assists with law enforcement. But often it does not. I grant that a purely civilian codebreaking facility might once have been needed. But for reasons I'll get to below, it's much too late to start now! And much too expensive.)

There is an exective order or presidential decision directive (pdd) from the mid-80's that formalizes a "relationship" between the NSA and FBI for law enforcement decryption. However, I never was able to get my hands on it ... Aaron