Decision on inquiry on Echelon postponed for a week
Jelle van Buuren 06.04.2000
Big political groups in European Parliament don't want a committee of
inquiry
Deutsche Fassung
The European Parliaments Conference of Presidents (an organ consisted of
the presidents of all political groups) today did not decide on the
inquiry on Echelon. The decision has been postponed for a week. It is
assumed some political groups wants more time to make their decision.
The Greens in the European Parliament asked for the [Local Link]
parliamentary inquiry. They have the support of a quarter of the members
of parliament. But the big political groups in the European Parliament are
reluctant to the idea. At a meeting of the Committee on Citizen's Rights,
that was held wednesday, the European People's Party and European
Democrats (EPP/ED) was opposed to any idea of setting up a committee of
inquiry into Echelon. The EPP/ED is in favour of a temporary committee.
Another suggestion is that the Parliament first makes its own study into
data protection and data interception.
The Party of European Socialists (PES) also was reluctant to the idea of a
committee of inquiry, as Echelon is not a Community activity. Also, the
PES predicted the US and UK would not come testify for the committee. The
PES favoured a temporary committee. This committee could adopt a report
with recommendations to the European Council and European Commission.
A spokesman of the Greens told us the Greens were willing to accept a
temporary committee. "A temporary committee has almost the same powers as
a committee of inquiry." He expects next week the Parliaments Conference
of Presidents will propose a temporary committee. But he warned there is
still the possibility, the Conference of Presidents rejects the idea of
any investigation on Echelon. "This would be a very unsatisfactory
result," the spokesman said.
Copyright 1996-99 All Rights Reserved. Alle Rechte vorbehalten
Verlag Heinz Heise, Hannover
==================
Guardian (London) Saturday April 8, 2000
Britain warns EU to drop spying debate states over Echelon
Ian Black in Brussels Britain is trying to stifle a European Union
debate about its involvement in a US-led economic espionage network by
warning its partners that their own secrets could be exposed.
With Portugal planning to raise concerns about the controversial Echelon
surveillance system - a network of satellites and listening posts - the
government signalled yesterday that EU member states should think
carefully before allowing any discussion.
Echelon, set up during the cold war, is reportedly capable of intercepting
millions of telephone, fax and email messages. It has come under scrutiny
by the European parliament amid allegations that it has been used to spy
on European companies.
Britain is worried because the issue has been presented as one in which a
choice has to be made between loyalty to the US and European partners -
and because intelligence and security matters are normally strictly
off-limits for the EU.
"The Portuguese said they wanted a general exchange on interception," a
British official said. "But it would need to be a discussion that would
cover the issue in the round rather than focusing on just one member
state.
"There is no incompatibility between our position as an EU member state
and our duty to maintain national security. Others are in the same
position."
France, angered by reports that the US used Echelon to beat the European
consortium Airbus to a deal with Saudi Arabia, is expected to be quick to
grasp the veiled threat.
Britain declared formally last month that any interception of
communications carried out by the GCHQ eavesdropping centre was covered by
strict legal guidelines, ministerial control and parliamentary oversight.
Fresh efforts are being made to convince sceptics that interception
officially justified by the need to "safeguard the nation's economic
well-being" does not involve British companies gaining commercial
advantage.
Only threats to the supply of energy, commodities and raw materials or
attempts to manipulate or undermine the financial markets would justify
legal interception, the government says.
Portugal, the current holder of the EU's rotating presidency, announced
that it would consider the issue at a meeting of interior ministers next
month.
The 626-member parliament will make the unusual move next week of setting
up its own ad hoc committee of inquiry, and hold two plenary debates on
Echelon in May.
James Woolsey, a former head of the CIA, admitted recently that the US
does secretly collect information on European companies. But he insisted
that it only targeted firms which violated United Nations sanctions or
offered bribes to gain business.
Britain has never denied helping the US operate Echelon satellites and
listening posts along with Canada, Australia and New Zealand in an
intelligence-sharing pact that dates back to the early days of the cold
war.
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