NEW Zealand is concerned a satellite base station forming part of a multinational electronic surveillance system could be exposed as part of a European inquiry.

European parliamentarians have demanded a committee of inquiry be set up to probe allegations that the United States is using the so-called Echelon electronic surveillance system for industrial espionage in Europe.

The Echelon network is said to include the Waihopai satellite station near Blenheim, New Zealand. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark told Parliament yesterday that she was concerned it was under investigation.

Waihopai intercepts and passes on phone, fax and e-mail communications from the Pacific region as part of an intelligence alliance that includes Australia, the United States, Britain, and Canada.

Clark, who is Security Intelligence Service Minister, said she had been assured information collected by the Marlborough base was not being used for commercial purposes.

"We have received assurance from intelligence partners that they don't either," she said.

Echelon is the codename believed to have been given to a secret US Government project which would allow its National Security Agency to intercept and monitor all forms of electronic communication.

[Equipo Nizkor Documentary Note: Source: AAP 11:40 Thursday 24 February 2000. By way of Dr Michael Baker, Electronic Frontiers Australia]

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