The evaluation period, during which experts will be asked to test the strength and speed of each proposal, will end April, 1999, and the list will be narrowed down to five top proposals.

CNN: U.S. government to set new standard for advanced encryption

The Vatican is also still undergoing evaluation by Moneyval, a committee of financial experts backed by the 47-nation Council of Europe, as part of its bid to persuade foreign lenders and their regulators that Vatican financial institutions are transparent.

WSJ: Vatican Signs Anti-Money-Laundering Deal With U.S.

It said Chinese experts have joined Dr Schaapveld in calling for a proper mental health evaluation.

BBC: Briton faces execution in China

That is why experts at a medical conference in the city last month pressed for urgent evaluation of the disease's social impact.

CNN: A Looming Danger