DATE=1/8/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-224984
TITLE=GERMANY / BUGGING (L ONLY)
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=BONN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT SAYS POLICE WILL SOON BE ABLE TO
PLACE SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT IN THE HOMES OF SUSPECTED CRIMINALS
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE END OF THE NAZI ERA OF THE 1930S AND
40S. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.
TEXT: GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY AGREEMENT ON THE NEW CRIME
FIGHTING RULES CAME AFTER LONG TALKS BETWEEN CHANCELLOR HELMUT
KOHL'S GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION SOCIAL DEMOCRATS. THE
AGREEMENT CLEARS THE WAY FOR BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT TO PASS
THE MEASURE, WHICH REQUIRES A CHANGE IN THE GERMAN CONSTITUTION.
INTERIOR MINISTER MANFRED KANTHER SAYS THE NEW LAW WILL GIVE
AUTHORITIES THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO FIGHT ORGANIZED CRIME AND
MONEY LAUNDERING.
THE NEW EAVESDROPPING LAW, WHICH IS PART OF A LONG DEBATED
PACKAGE OF CRIME FIGHTING MEASURES, WILL RESTORE A POLICE TOOL
THAT WAS WIDELY ABUSED BY SECRET POLICE DURING THE NAZI ERA.
CRITICS SAY THE LEGISLATION WILL VIOLATE CONSTITUTIONAL
PROTECTIONS OF FREE SPEECH AND PRIVACY. GERMAN JOURNALISTS SAY
THE NEW LAW WILL ALSO VIOLATE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS RULES BECAUSE
INFORMANTS WILL NO LONGER FEEL SAFE TALKING WITH JOURNALISTS IN
THEIR HOMES OR OFFICES.
UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED NEXT
WEEK, POLICE WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET A COURT ORDER BEFORE THEY
PLACE LISTENING EQUIPMENT IN HOMES. POLICE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED
TO BUG THE HOMES OF PRIESTS, DEFENSE LAWYERS OR LEGISLATORS.
UNDER GERMANY'S POST WAR CONSTITUTION, POLICE ARE NOW BARRED FROM
ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE, AND THE INTERCEPTION OF MAIL AND PHONE
CONVERSATIONS EXCEPT IN VERY LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/KL
08-Jan-98 11:50 AM EST (1650 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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