13. GLOBAL INFORMATION SOCIETY: +1
"We will support public and private efforts to increase the use of information and communication technologies for development and encourage international organizations to assess the appropriate role which they can play."
Assessment:
- While the United States is a leader in Internet usage and software development, government interaction is minimal.
- The President has promised that every classroom in America will be connected to the Internet by the year 2000.
- At the Executive level, negative statements have been made by President Clinton and Vice-President Gore have been in support of government controlled encryption methods, designed to allowed the equivalent of "wire-tapping" personal data transmissions.
- Recent signatory to the Information Technology Agreement which, in part will liberalize up to $1 trillion in trade. There are plans to continue this process with ITA II.
- In summary, despite the consideration of encryption controls, the Administration has been very supportive of the development of information technology.