From: nobody@tjava.com (Anonymous)
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 1996 18:23:07 +0800
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Cryptology and classification
Message-ID: <199601110430.WAA26205@tjava.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


Hi all,

Just received a memo, the "Desk Reference Guide" to Executive Order 12958.
This memo/executive order discusses classified national security
information.  The cypherpunks-interesting aspect of this memo lies in
exceptions to some new guidelines.  Basically, this executive order
removes the authority for the government to "permanently" classify
information.  Basically, classification is now limited to 10 years
(or 25 years in some special cases).  The exceptions to this allow
classification for longer durations for certain types of material.
These types include things like protecting intelligence sources and 
nuclear weapons design info.  One of the other exeptions is for:

"...information that would impair United States cryptologic systems
or activities."

This appears to be taken directly from the executive order, so these
types of decisions are being made at high levels.  Thought you might
be interested.

	Hooker