26 February 1997
Source: http://www.bxa.doc.gov/02-.pdf (35K)

Public Comments on Encryption Items Transferred from
the U.S. Munitions List to the Commerce Control List

# 2. John and Laren Navas

11901 W. VOMAC ROAD
DUBLIN, CA 94568-1050
VOICE: 510-828-6764 FAX 510-828-6763

December 31, 1996

Nancy Crowe
Regulatory Policy Division
Bureau of Export Administration
Department of Commerce
14th Street and Pennsylvania A~e., N.W., Room 2705
Washington, D.C. 20230-0001

Re: Docket No. 960918265-6366-03

With regard to "Encryption Items Transferred From the U.S. Munitions List to the Commerce Control List," we find this interim rule to be an unreasonable prior restraint on freedoms protected by the U.S. Constitution, and a government action that is repugnant to a free society. The rule is offensive because it only serves to harm legitimate uses of encryption by U.S. citizens, since high-grade encryption is readily and freely available to anyone from sources outside of the United States. Particularly in view of the Federal Court ruling by Judge Patel on December 16, 1996 (Case No. C-95-0582 MHP, United States District Court, Northern District Of California), we urge the government to come to its senses and accept the Proposed Stipulation and Order submitted by Cindy A. Cohn, counsel for Daniel Bernstein in Bernstein v. U.S. Department of State, as set forth in a letter dated December 30,1996.

Sincerely,

John Navas Lauren Navas

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