Decision on inquiry on Echelon postponed for a week

Big political groups in European Parliament don't want a committee of inquiry

The European Parliaments Conference of Presidents (an organ consisted of the presidents of all political groups) today did not decide on the inquiry on Echelon. The decision has been postponed for a week. It is assumed some political groups wants more time to make their decision.

The Greens in the European Parliament asked for the parliamentary inquiry. They have the support of a quarter of the members of parliament. But the big political groups in the European Parliament are reluctant to the idea. At a meeting of the Committee on Citizen's Rights, that was held wednesday, the European People's Party and European Democrats (EPP/ED) was opposed to any idea of setting up a committee of inquiry into Echelon. The EPP/ED is in favour of a temporary committee. Another suggestion is that the Parliament first makes its own study into data protection and data interception.

The Party of European Socialists (PES) also was reluctant to the idea of a committee of inquiry, as Echelon is not a Community activity. Also, the PES predicted the US and UK would not come testify for the committee. The PES favoured a temporary committee. This committee could adopt a report with recommendations to the European Council and European Commission.

A spokesman of the Greens told us the Greens were willing to accept a temporary committee. "A temporary committee has almost the same powers as a committee of inquiry." He expects next week the Parliaments Conference of Presidents will propose a temporary committee. But he warned there is still the possibility, the Conference of Presidents rejects the idea of any investigation on Echelon. "This would be a very unsatisfactory result," the spokesman said.