http://www.heise.de/tp/english/inhalt/te/6891/1.html
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European Parliament votes against inquiry committee on Echelon
Jelle van Buuren 05.07.2000
Temporary committee called a 'tootthless talkingshop'
The European Parliament rejected Wednesday at their plenary meeting
to set up an inquiry committee on Echelon, the Anglo-American spying
network. The Green Group had asked for a plenary vote, after the
president's of the political parties couldn't decide on the issue.
The so called Conference of Presidents first rejected an inquiry
committee, and suggested that a temporary committee might be a better
option. They asked for the advice of the legal service of the
parliament, which stated three weeks ago that a temporary committee
cannot lead an inquiry.
The Greens accused the big political parties of obstructing the
inquiry and demanded a vote of the plenary meeting of parliament.
Today, parliament rejected the demand for an inquiry committee.
Instead, they voted for the installation of a temporary committee.
The Greens are very disappointed with the decision, as the legal
service stated clearly a temporary committee has no powers to lead a
serous inquiry. It will not have the power to call on people to
testify and has no right of access to confidential documents. 'It is
in danger of being no more than a mere talkingshop,' the Greens
stated.
The Greens believe the big political parties have bowed for the
individual EU governments wishes not to take a strong position on the
Echelon issue. 'The vote proved that most of the conservative,
socialists and liberals member of parliament are unwilling to go
against the wishes of certain EU governments,' according to the
Greens.
The only positive element in the vote is, according to the Greens,
that more members were in favour of an inquiry committee (210) than
the number of members who the originally gave the green light for the
procedure to ask for an investigation (180).
The decision of the European Parliament comes at a time when France
has launched an investigation into the Echelon-operation. A public
prosecutor has ordered the French DST counter-espionage service to
build up evidence accussing Washington and London of an attack on the
fundamental interests of the nation.
In Holland, the parliament gave more details about the hearing which
the parliament is organising in september on Echeon. They are going
to invite specialists from Holland and other countries. Amongst
others, Belgian specialist are invited who recently stated for the
Belgian Committee that controls the intelligence service that Echelon
existst.
After the hearing, parliament will question the Dutch minister of
Justice, Benk Korthals. Till now, Dutch government is unwilling to
answer seriously on parlimantary questions on the subject.
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