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Document 92000E000665

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0665/00 by Roberto Bigliardo (TDI) to the Commission. Echelon telecommunications monitoring system. Involvement of the United Kingdom.

OV C 374E, 28.12.2000, p. 128–129 (ES, DA, DE, EL, EN, FR, IT, NL, PT, FI, SV)

European Parliament's website

92000E0665

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0665/00 by Roberto Bigliardo (TDI) to the Commission. Echelon telecommunications monitoring system. Involvement of the United Kingdom.

Official Journal 374 E , 28/12/2000 P. 0128 - 0129


WRITTEN QUESTION P-0665/00

by Roberto Bigliardo (TDI) to the Commission

(29 February 2000)

Subject: Echelon telecommunications monitoring system. Involvement of the United Kingdom

Is the Commission aware of the revelations which have appeared in a number of newspapers and which featured in a news bulletin broadcast on 21 February 2000 by the international French-language television channel TV5 concerning the Campbell report, according to which the United Kingdom is involved in a telecommunications monitoring system known as Echelon which is run by the USA and whose coverage extends to include Europe?

Under the terms of a secret agreement concluded in 1948 with the USA, the United Kingdom provides facilities for the equipment needed for this gigantic ear, which is capable of intercepting any kind of communication.

The Campbell report maintains that the USA has used the system not only for military purposes but also in order to benefit US industries and companies at the expense of European ones.

Is the Commission aware of these revelations?

Does the Commission not consider that the United Kingdom has broken the solidarity pact which binds all the EU Member States?

Does the Commission not think that, in such circumstances, it should suggest to the Council of Ministers that the latter impose exemplary sanctions on the United Kingdom for infringement of the Amsterdam Treaty?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(18 April 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its statement on Echelon at Parliament's March III part session(1).

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (March 2000).

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