WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1894/98 by Esko SEPPÄNEN to the Commission. EU involvement in covert electronic communications interception
Date: 1998-06-09
Institutions: European Parliament, SEPPAENEN
Subjects: confidentiality, data protection, industrial espionage, information, information network, secret service

21.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 142/3

on the protection and use of transboundary watercourses and international lakes, nor to the Ramsar
Convention and is therefore not bound by their requirements.

(1999/C 142/003)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1894/98

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 June 1998)

Subject: EU involvement in covert electronic communications interception

The European Parliament’s STOA (Scientific and Technological Option Assessment) delegation, which
promotes the exploitation of knowledge and research, has commissioned and published a report by Steve
Wright, a British researcher for the Omega foundation, on the use of modern technology for political
surveillance.

The report mentions a joint surveillance plan between the European Union and the FBI with the aim of
tracing (inter alia) international criminals. According to the report, in 1995 the EU countries concluded a
secret agreement whereby their undercover services could also send their own code words to the American
NSA for the purposes of Echelon electronic precision espionage. Again according to the report, the EU
countries might possibly also be required to install the equipment needed for electronic monitoring in all
EU telephones.

Has the Commission put into practice the measures mentioned in the STOA report on the standardization
of telephones for the purposes of Echelon monitoring, and does it have any information on whether EU
countries will be required to use the FBI or NSA electronic communications interception services?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(29 September 1998)

The Commission has noted with interest the interim study: An appraisal of technologies of political
control from the scientific and technological options assessment from the Parliament. The Commission is
not in possession of any evidence or complaint that a particular Member State is infringing the EC Treaty
in this respect.

Nonetheless the Commission remains vigilant to defend Community interests and continues to make
efforts to improve the security of its data networks. Furthermore, the Commission condemns all attempts
to breach the integrity and confidentiality of information held or transmitted by the institutions.

(1999/C 142/004)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1986/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: Problems relating to the Food and Veterinary Office in Dublin

Almost a year has elapsed since the Food and Veterinary Office of the Commission’s DG XXIV became
established and began operating in Dublin.

Will the Commission say:

1. Leaving aside increased expenditure owing to the recruitment of new staff, have the operating costs of

the Food and Veterinary Office increased since it became established in Dublin?

2. What are the reasons for this increase compared to previous years and what percentage increase is

involved?