Spy vs Spy (US vs EU)

[Aimee Farr]

Trei wrote:

> [IRNA is the Islamic Republic News Agency
> (ie, Iranian). Adjust your predjudices
> appropriately.]
>
> The solution to European worries over Echelon is
> (wait for it!) more spies!

Their standard answer.

> Note that one of this article's base assumptions
> is that Echelon is primarily used for economic
> espionage. It would be interesting to
> find European takes on this issue.

Indeed. European takes on the privatization of intelligence agencies are
quite illuminating.

~Aimee

>
> Peter Trei
>
> -----------------------------------------
> http://www.irna.com/newshtm/eng/14193114.htm
>
> thr 073
> EU-Spy     /WRD/
>   MP announces plans for a European intelligence service
> Berlin, July 5, IRNA -- The European Union plans to create a European
> intelligence service, in an effort to counter the American economic
> espionage program 'Echelon', a deputy of the European Parliament was
> quoted saying Thursday in the German daily junge Welt.
>    The German member of the European Parliament, Ilka Schroeder of
> the Green Party, referred to the latest report by the espionage
> committee, calling for the formation of a European intelligence
> service to protect European industries against US espionage.
>    "It's hypocritical for the parliament to criticize the US Echelon
> surveillance techniques, while there are plans in work to promote
> a European secret service," Schroeder blasted the latest initiative.
>    A recent report by a European parliamentary committee confirmed the
> existence of a controversial worldwide espionage network 'Echelon'
> which has caused between Dlrs 13 and 145 billion in financial
> damages to European companies.
>    The study, presenting evidence that intelligence services from
> the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain are part
> of 'Echelon', called on European firms to guard themselves from this
> ultra-modern form of economic espionage.
>    The United States had in the past repeatedly denied the existence
> of 'Echelon' which is reportedly capable of eavesdropping on every
> single telephone call, radio transmission, fax or e-mail message
> around the world.
>    US officials had refused to meet with a visiting European
> parliamentary delegation a few weeks ago, wanting information on
> 'Echelon'.
>    A member of the EU parliamentary committee, Gerhard Schmid said the
> evidence, consisting of photos, statements by intelligence officials
> working on the project and the results of internet research-proved
> conclusively and without a doubt that this was in fact the case.
>    "Companies outside Europe getting hold of this information might
> gain huge advantages," Schmid added.
>    The study suggested advanced coding techniques for companies when
> transmitting confidential messages.
>     Schmid also referred to the close cooperation between the
> intelligence services of the US and EU member Great Britain, saying it
> might have serious repercussions for the EU's common foreign and
> security policies if the issue was not discussed.
>    The worldwide espionage installations of 'Echelon', were created
> in 1947 and initially used for military purposes.
> OT/MHJ/JH
> END
> ::irna    19:31