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. ====================== <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. 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