PEC Homepage	History	Biography	Charters
Recommendations	Issues	Subcommittees	Meeting Minutes

The Honorable William J. Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20550

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing to you in my capacity as Chairman of your Export Council. The Council commends Vice President Gore's announcement on September 16, 1998, liberalizing the export of encryption products. This policy change effectively decontrols the export of 56-bit DES as well as allowing the export of unlimited strength encryption products to an enlarged list of industry segments and countries. The liberalization is a step forward in the debate over the export of encryption products. This change will allow U.S. companies to provide their customers with improved products for electronic commerce and privacy.

Of course there remain significant issues to address. For example, the policy does not include relief for all industry sectors or for individual end-users. Furthermore, while recognizing the value of the Technical Support Center in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, attention needs to be given to its size, scope, and impact on privacy and security.

Finally, your Export Council urges that the regulations implementing the announced policy be published as soon as possible and that further work be done to address the outstanding issues generated by continually developing technology.

Sincerely,

C. Michael Armstrong
Chairman

	Return to PEC Homepage
	Return to List of Recommendations
	Go to ITA Homepage