WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3017/98 by Luigi FLORIO to the Council. Israel's request to join the group of Western European and other States in the UN
14. 5. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 135/151 In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat. (1) OJ C 96, 8. 4. 1999. (1999/C 135/187) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3014/98 by Paul Lannoye (V) to the Commission (28 September 1998) Subject: Echelon system The interim report published by STOA in January 1998 confirms the existence of the Echelon system, whereby the United States, with the aid of a grid of telecommunications networks based on Vortex satellites, can intercept all messages sent within the European Union by telephone, fax or E-mail. We are told by a well-informed source that the President of the Commission has circulated a document to the institution’s chief section heads warning of the risks of the Commission’s communications being intercepted. Can the Commission confirm this information? What steps does it intend to take, within the framework of its powers, to protect institutions, businesses and individuals within the Union against all forms of political and economic espionage? Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (6 November 1998) The Honourable Member is referred to Commission answers to Written Questions numbers E/1039/98 by Ms Van Dijk (1), E-1049/98 by Ms Van Dijk (2), E-130/6/98 by Ms Muscardini and others (3), E-1329/98 by Ms Raschhofer (4), E-1776/98 by Mr Manisco (5) and E-1987/98 by Mr Kaklamanis (6). (1) OJ C 354, 19. 11. 1998, p. 55. (2) OJ C 354, 19. 11. 1998, p. 54. (3) OJ C 402, 22. 12. 1998, p. 109. (4) OJ C 50, 22. 2. 1999, p. 35. (5) OJ C 50, 22. 2. 1999, p. 90. (6) OJ C 13, 18. 1. 1999, p. 130. (1999/C 135/188) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3017/98 by Luigi Florio (PPE) to the Council (2 October 1998) Subject: Israel’s request to join the group of Western European and other States in the UN The State of Israel is the only one of the 185 Member States of the UN which cannot be elected to the Security Council. This is because the group of Asian States, to which Israel belongs geographically, ban it from joining their organization and the European Union countries have not yet responded to Israel’s request to join the Western group. The United States, Australia, Canada and Norway have already indicated that they are in favour. What response does the Council intend to make to Israel’s request? Does it not consider that to approve the request would be a sign that it rightfully condemns the Asian group’s discrimination against Israel?