Re: <nettime> Cyperpunks vs. US government

["Hinde ten Berge" <hinde@xs4all.nl>]

Hi,

Can I please express that this is *not* an initiative from the cypherpunks
against the US government? The Wassenaar Arrangement [WA] is signed by
*33* countries (of which the US are one) and, as far as I understand, this
is worse than US politics in the sense that we have to deal with a big
collaboration instead of one country. Furthermore, the US were just
loosening their export laws while the WA starts all over again. I'm not
sure what the exact consequences of this will be exactly, but
unfortunately the direction is clear: cryptography must be regulated by
governments, and if not, then the technology used must be breakable easily
(you know about the DES crack by EFF with a small amount of money in just
two days, right?). 

Anyway, I'm glad that John Gilmore's message is reposted on nettime.
Indeed, maybe this sort of action is necessary to stay ensured of privacy. 

The public statement and the explanatory note of WA are at: 
http://jya.com/wa-state98.htm

For cryptography related issues in other countries (not updated with the
WA yet):  http://cwis.kub.nl/~frw/people/koops/lawsurvy.htm

Commends and questions are welcome. 

Hinde. 

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