http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/library/news/2006/10/sec-061002-irna0 1.htm
EU-US air data deal in 'legal chaos' IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Brussels, Oct 2, IRNA EU-US-Air Data The European Union appears to be in a fix after the 25-member bloc failed to negotiate a new deal over air passenger data transfer to US security officials. In 2004 the EU and US signed an agreement allowing European airlines to handover passenger name records (PNR) to US authorities to assist the US in the fight against terror following the 9/11 attacks. But the European Court of Justice, following objections by the European Parliament, in May ruled against the deal arguing it was not based on a suitable legal foundation in European law. The court gave the two sides to negotiate a new deal by September 30, but Brussels and Washington failed to reach a deal leaving the airlines in a legal limbo. "We risk a situation of legal chaos, legal uncertainty," said an European Commission official in Brussels speaking with reporters on condition of anonymity. The European Commission in a statement said it has urged the US to continue to apply the safeguards for PNR data that were laid down in the now-lapsed 2004 agreement until such time as a new agreement is reached so as to minimize the risk of legal uncertainty and disruption to EU-US flights. But till Monday the US had not responded to Brussels request for assurances. European airlines now face a dilemma. US authorities could deny them entry into the US if they do not provide the PNR. If they do, the airlines will be breaching EU laws. "If they transfer data they will be held responsible according to the rules of individual member states," said the Commission official. Airlines are compelled to provide US authorities with details about passengers including addresses, telephone numbers, email, credit card information, food preferences, 15 minutes before departure of a flight. The issue will be discussed by EU justice ministers on Thursday. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. OSINT, as a part of The Intelligence Network, is making it available without profit to OSINT YahooGroups members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information in their efforts to advance the understanding of intelligence and law enforcement organizations, their activities, methods, techniques, human rights, civil liberties, social justice and other intelligence related issues, for non-profit research and educational purposes only. We believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
