12 February 1998
Dear Sir/Madam,
Early last year you sent me a copy of "New Zealand's Controls on the Export of
Strategic Goods". This document contains a great many references to various
points of the Wassenaar Arrangement, which unfortunately isn't included with
the control lists. As I understand it, this is a relatively short document
which provides necessary background information for the strategic goods lists.
Would it be possible for you to forward a copy of the Wassenaar Arrangement to
me at the above address?
In addition, in the near future I hope to make a trip to the US to discuss
computer security issues with various researchers and one or more US companies.
As part of this trip, I would like to bring along a single copy of the cryptlib
encryption software for my own use and possibly to demonstrate to interested
parties. The other countries which enforce software export controls (mainly
the US, Canada (to a very limited degree), and Australia) all have special
exemptions for export for personal use in the form of temporary permits which
require that the software be kept under the control of the exporter (in my case
I'll keep it on me at all times). However the New Zealand control lists seem
to have overlooked this, since they contain no mention of temporary exports or
exports for personal use. Although in theory it might be possible to use the
standard export forms, the results wouldn't make much sense (for example both
the exporter and the consignee are myself, and the ultimate destination of the
goods is the place where they started from). What steps would I have to go
through in order to take a sample of the software overseas for my own use and
possibly demonstration to interested parties [1], with the
software itself never leaving my control?
Yours faithfully,
Peter Gutmann.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Private Bag 18 901
Wellington
[1] The US and Australian temporary export provisions specifically forbid this.
I wanted to see what the reaction would be if I asked for permission to do
it.