] > Try reading between the lines David - there are *strong* hints in there 
] > that they're angling for NREN next,

] Where?  I honestly didn't see any...

Hint 1:

: Sophisticated encryption technology has been used for years to
: protect electronic funds transfer.  It is now being used to
: protect electronic mail and computer files.  While encryption
  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hint 2:

: This new technology will help companies protect proprietary
: information, protect the privacy of personal phone conversations
: and prevent unauthorized release of data transmitted
                                      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
: electronically.  At the same time this technology preserves the
  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
:      --   the privacy of our citizens, including the need to
:           employ voice or data encryption for business purposes;
                         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
:      --   the ability of authorized officials to access telephone
:           calls and data, under proper court or other legal
                  ^^^^^^^^
:           order, when necessary to protect our citizens;

VERY BIG HINT 3:

# The Administration is committed to working with the private
# sector to spur the development of a National Information
# Infrastructure which will use new telecommunications and computer
# technologies to give Americans unprecedented access to
# information.  This infrastructure of high-speed networks
# ("information superhighways") will transmit video, images, HDTV
# programming, and huge data files as easily as today's telephone
# system transmits voice.

VERY BIG HINT 4: (See above)

## Since encryption technology will play an increasingly important
## role in that infrastructure, the Federal Government must act
## quickly to develop consistent, comprehensive policies regarding
## its use.

] > and the only conceivable meaning of 
] > applying this particular technology to a computer network is that they 
] > intend it to be used in exclusion to any other means of encryption. 

] I disagree, if for no other reason than that there are already other 
] standards in place.  Besides, even if they restrict encryption on the NREN, 
] who cares?  Most of the Internet is commercial anyway.  The NREN is only for 
] geovernment and university research (read the proposals--it's a "data 
] superhighway" for Cray users, not anything having to do with the Internet).

Oh, I see your point.  I think you're wrong.  But if you sit back and wait
to find out if I'm right, it'll be too late.  Just listen *very* carefully
for the first 'such and such will not be permitted on network XYZ' shoe to
drop.