[iwar] Historical posting
From: Fred Cohen
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Mon, Jan 1, 1999
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Date: Mon, Jan 1, 1999
From: Fred Cohen
Reply-To: iwar@egroups.com
Subject: [iwar] Historical posting
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[3] European Parliament Holds Hearing on Echelon
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The European Parliament held hearings last week on the "Echelon
Network," which has been described as a global spy network that is
reputed to involve the governments of the U.S., U.K., Canada, and
Australia. The purpose, according to some, is to intercept and gather
electronic signals, such as faxes, phone calls and e-mails for
commercial espionage.
Duncan Campbell, a British journalist, presented his assessment of
Echelon before the European Parliament on February 23. Campbell
alleged that Echelon has been used to block deals between European
firms and other countries and contributed to a decision by Saudi
Arabia to drop a contract with Airbus.
The Echelon matter has attracted interest at the highest levels of
government. British Prime Minister Tony Blair denied that his
government was engaged in corporate espionage. The French government
has indicated that it will begin a formal investigation. The European
Commission is also likely to pursue the Echelon matter.
In the United States, a spokesperson for the Department of State said
that it was not US policy to engage in corporate espionage. CIA
Director George Tenet told Reuters "We do not spy on foreign
companies for the economic gain of American companies. We don't do
this. It's our policy, it's our regulation, we do not do this." The
National Security Agency circulated a letter to members of Congress
saying it was "not authorized to provide intelligence information to
private firms for their economic advantage."
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is urging public hearings on
Echelon. Congressman Bob Barr has asked the Government Reform
Committee to hold public hearings on Echelon.
European Parliament Hearing on "The European Union and Data
Protection":
http://www.europarl.eu.int/dg2/hearings/20000222/libe/en/default.htm
National Security Agency Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
http://www.nsa.gov/about_nsa/faqs_internet.html
Duncan Campbell's Echelon Study for the European Parliament,
Scientific and Technological Options Assessment:
http://www.europarl.eu.int/dg4/stoa/en/publi/default.htm
ACLU's Echelon Watch page:
http://www.echelonwatch.org
Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy:
http://www.fas.org/sgp/index.html