92002E0620

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0620/02

by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission

(5 March 2002)

Subject: Global terrorism: a European response

The Evil Axis, as George W. Bush calls it, which runs from Tehran to Baghdad and Pyongyang, could, in the medium-term, lead to a level of international terrorism that would make the 11 September attacks on the Twin Towers in New York seem like a bad joke.

Iran apparently has Shahab-3, Shahab-4 and Shahab-5 ballistic missiles at an advanced stage of construction which have a range of 1300, 2000 and 5500 km respectively.

Iraq is reported to have Al-Hussein and Al-Abbas ballistic missiles with ranges of between 600 and 1 000 km.

North Korea has Nodong-1, Nodong-2, Taepodong-1 and Taepodong-2 ballistic missiles at an advanced stage of development with ranges of between 1 300 and 6 000 km.

These missiles armed with nuclear, chemical and biological warheads could, within the space of a few hours, destroy the whole of the Western world, while China would not stand back looking on.

Although the war against international terrorism has a defence weapon in the shape of the Space Shield and is fought on battlefields, it is won by secret diplomacy, the latest form of signals intelligence.

- How does Europe intend to respond to such scenarios? In particular, does the European Union not intend to create synergies in the intelligence sector between the various national intelligence organisations, using new systems of non-integer digital cryptography?

- Are there no plans to establish an advanced European Institute of Intelligence with links to the scientific and academic community?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2002)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for his insights. There are currently no plans of which the Commission is aware to rise to the challenge outlined.