Just reading this article at aa1car.com and read

Some import vehicles have readiness issues when it comes to setting all the OBD II monitors. Turn the key off on a 1996 Subaru and it will clear all the readiness flags.

Is this actually true? I guess I could do an experiment...

Here's the story from the horse's mouth: http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/OBDEWWin05.pdf

Ah thanks OB99W; it appears it is true. I guess the place I get my inspections done knows how to deal with it then in my '96 as they've never said anything about a problem.