- 20 Mar 2003 03:51
#3694
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2864063.stm
Bugging devices found at EU
Electronic bugging devices have been found at offices used by French and German delegations at a European Union building in Brussels, officials have confirmed.
Devices were also discovered at offices used by other delegations, said EU spokesman Dominique-Georges Marro.
Extra security measures have been adopted in the building, ahead of a meeting of EU leaders to be held there on Thursday and Friday.
The discovery of the telephone tapping systems was first reported on Wednesday by France's Le Figaro newspaper, which blamed the US.
But Mr Marro said it was "impossible at this stage" to determine who had planted the devices.
The telephone tapping comes at a time of heightened tensions within the EU - which is deeply divided over Iraq - and of worsening relations between the US and EU members France and Germany.
Investigation
The EU spokesman said the wiretapping had been discovered during a routine inspection.
The other delegations affected by it have not been named, but Mr Marro said only a small number of lines had been affected.
Investigators from the affected countries were looking into the phone tapping, along with the EU's own security services, officials said.
The Justus Lipsius building, where the bugging devices were found, is a regular meeting place for EU ministers.
It houses the secretariat of the EU Council of Ministers.
The bloc's foreign ministers have been meeting there this week.
The building also houses the offices of the EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana.
Bugging devices found at EU
Electronic bugging devices have been found at offices used by French and German delegations at a European Union building in Brussels, officials have confirmed.
Devices were also discovered at offices used by other delegations, said EU spokesman Dominique-Georges Marro.
Extra security measures have been adopted in the building, ahead of a meeting of EU leaders to be held there on Thursday and Friday.
The discovery of the telephone tapping systems was first reported on Wednesday by France's Le Figaro newspaper, which blamed the US.
But Mr Marro said it was "impossible at this stage" to determine who had planted the devices.
The telephone tapping comes at a time of heightened tensions within the EU - which is deeply divided over Iraq - and of worsening relations between the US and EU members France and Germany.
Investigation
The EU spokesman said the wiretapping had been discovered during a routine inspection.
The other delegations affected by it have not been named, but Mr Marro said only a small number of lines had been affected.
Investigators from the affected countries were looking into the phone tapping, along with the EU's own security services, officials said.
The Justus Lipsius building, where the bugging devices were found, is a regular meeting place for EU ministers.
It houses the secretariat of the EU Council of Ministers.
The bloc's foreign ministers have been meeting there this week.
The building also houses the offices of the EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana.
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- By Potemkin
- By Puffer Fish