[From Cipher E38]
..Poking at Echelon
French pot to examine Anglo-American kettle
A French prosecutor announced [37] he has launched a preliminary
investigation into the workings of Echelon, the rumored worldwide spy
system run by intelligence agencies in the US, UK, Canada,
Australia, and New Zealand. (The announcement came on July 4th, the
American Independence Day holiday -- that must have been intentional.)
The French probe will focus on allegations that the members of the
UKUSA Alliance have used Echelon's intercept capabilities for
economic espionage. Both the US and Britain have denied this charge
without admitting officially that Echelon exists.
Those inclined to cheer the French for their courageous probe into
UKUSA snooping ought to cast an eye over this excellent ZDNet
collection of new Echelon material [38]. It includes details on
France's copycat system, unfortunately dubbed "Frenchelon" [39].
Separately, the European Union voted to empanel an investigation
into Echelon [40]. But to the consternation of this probe's
supporters, the panel was denied any investigatory powers. (It
was set up as a "temporary committee" rather than as an "inquiry
committee.") A member of Germany's Green Party, possibly with help
from the Babelfish, called the resulting body a "toothless
talkingshop."
[37] http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/nm/20000704/ts/france_usa_dc_1.html
[38] http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/specials/2000/06/echelon/
[39] http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/2000/25/ns-16281.html
[40] http://www.heise.de/tp/english/inhalt/te/6891/1.html
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