Paris, Sept. 20 (AFP): Microsoft corporation said today it would share the source code of its Microsoft Office desktop software with more than 60 governments, including China and Russia.

The world?s leading software maker announced in a statement on its website that it would offer access to the basic code of Microsoft Office 2003, which includes Microsoft word and Excel Spreadsheet applications, as part of its government security programme.

Launched in January 2003, the GSP is a no-fee global programme aimed at promoting confidence in the security of the US group's products.

More than 30 countries, including Australia, Britain, China, Norway, Russia and Spain, have signed GSP agreements, the Redmond, Washington state-based company, said.