IP: NSF repairs goof -- channels are now open

[Dave Farber <farber@central.cis.upenn.edu>]

More and more the Internet must carry the same privileges as the telephone
and mail with respect to freedom of passage. Personally I believe it is near
time to establish such rights by international treaty as has been done with
radio, telephone, telegraphs and mail. djf


To: gulf2000 list <gulf2000-list@columbia.edu>
Subject: Iran Internet Access 
Sender: owner-gulf2000-list@columbia.edu
Precedence: bulk


As many of you are aware, the National Science foundation recently ordered
internet circuits in Europe to refuse access to communications to and from
Iran. Some members of gulf/2000 have been active over the past week in
seeking more information and drawing the attention of NSF to the fact that
this was an apparent violation of the US embargo regulations, which
specifically provide for freedom of expression.


The following message states that these restrictions have been withdrawn.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 18:21:01 +0100
From: George Strawn <gstrawn@note1.nsf.gov>
To: ggs2@columbia.edu
Subject: Iran Internet Access


Dear Dr. Sick,




It has come to my attention that you recently sent NSF a message about
this subject.  You may be interested in the statement that I just gave
to our public relations people for release to inquiring members of the
public.




Cheers, George Strawn




The National Science Foundation (NSF) provides partial funding for several
international telecommunications links which carry Internet traffic in
support of the requirements of the U.S. research and education community. 
Recently, NSF network program personnel placed a temporary restriction on
using these links to route Internet traffic to and from Iran. Upon review
of this action, the NSF Division of Networking and Communications Research
and Infrastructure has removed this
restriction.



---


George O. Strawn, NCRI Division Director           gstrawn@nsf.gov


National Science Foundation                        703 306 1950


4201 Wilson Blvd, room 1175                        fax 306 0621


Arlington VA 22230