DATE=2/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S SPY NETWORK (L)
NUMBER=2-259495
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States is denying allegations by a
British journalist that it has been using a world wide
electronic spy system for industrial espionage in
Europe. From the State Department, V-O-A's Kyle King
reports.
TEXT: The allegations of U-S industrial espionage
have provoked calls for the European Union to set up a
committee of inquiry to look into the issue.
The demand emerged (Wednesday) as a European Union
parliamentary committee studied a report by British
Journalist Duncan Campbell.
Mr. Campbell's report claims the United States,
Britain and other key allies have, since the cold war,
maintained a sophisticated electronic spy network
called "Echelon."
His report says the network of spy satellites and
electronic eavesdropping equipment can monitor phone
conversations, faxes, and electronic mail.
The report calls the surveillance network a threat to
civil liberties and alleges it has been used to
collect economically sensitive information that
provides a commercial advantage to U-S companies.
State Department spokesman James Rubin refused to
comment on the existence of the system, but he denied
U-S intelligence agencies are engaged in industrial
espionage.
/// RUBIN ACT ///
U-S intelligence agencies are not tasked to
engage in industrial espionage, or obtain trade
secrets for the benefit of any U-S company or
companies.
/// end act ///
According to the British report, the Echelon program
monitors world wide communications with a network of
satellite and ground based listening posts. The
network was established during the cold war for
military surveillance.
French officials have alleged that Britain has also
benefited commercially from information gathered by
the network, allegations British Prime Minister Tony
Blair has denied. (Signed)
NEB/KBK/ENE/gm/national/europe
23-Feb-2000 15:31 PM EDT (23-Feb-2000 2031 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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