Intelligence

DATE=12/17/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=UN/LISTENING DEVICE (L-Only)

NUMBER=2-321214

BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

HEADLINE: Listening Device Found At United Nations

INTRO: The United Nations says a listening device was discovered in its European headquarters in Geneva. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports, the United Nations says the device was found in a room used by political leaders and other dignitaries attending U.N. meetings.

TEXT: Chief U.N. spokeswoman Marie Heuze (PREON: Oo-zeh) says the listening device was discovered a few months ago, while the Salon Francais, an art deco hall used for informal meetings, was being refurbished.

/// HEUZE ACT ///

"I confirm that in the course of the renovation of the Salon Francais, U.N. technical workers found that what is considered to be a sophisticated listening device. An investigation has failed to determine who could have planted the device."

/// END ACT ///

A Geneva security expert who saw a photo of the device on Swiss television says the system appears to be of Russian or Eastern European origin. He says judging from the technology used it is about three or four years old.

Ms. Heuze describes the Salon Francais as one of the most prestigious rooms at the United Nations. It was decorated by a French artist in the 1930s, at the time of the League of Nations, the forerunner to the United Nations, which was established after World War Two.

She tells VOA workers found the listening device while restoring the artwork and furniture in the room.

/// 2ND HEUZE ACT ///

"And, in the meantime, because of this occasion, the administration of the Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations) decided to look at the electricity, and to do basic work on this room And, it was on this occasion that they discovered this device."

/// END ACT ///

The listening device reportedly was found hidden behind some wooden panels. Ms. Heuze will not say whether the investigation into this particular matter is continuing. But, she says U.N. security is likely to check other rooms for similar devices.

The Salon Francais is close to a Council Chamber used for the U.N.-sponsored Conference on Disarmament. The room is used by world leaders as an informal meeting place. In September 2003, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and his counterparts from Russia, China, Britain and France met in Geneva for talks on Iraq. (SIGNED)

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