EU to Build Network of Spy Satellites

by David Rennie in Brussels

The European Union is building its own network of spy satellites allowing Brussels to ensure nations and private individuals are obeying its policies, it was announced yesterday.

The multi-billion-pound system, known as "Global Monitoring for Environment and Security" (GMES), should be up and running by 2010, a commission spokesman said. Announcing the launch of a "pilot stage" for GMES, the commission stressed its "user-friendly" application in guiding relief work after disasters or providing real time images of forest fires or oil spills.

But a commission memo also acknowledged that GMES would play a key role in the "implementation, review and monitoring of EU policies", including watching for agriculture and fisheries fraud and boosting "internal security".

In addition, officials hope GMES will support the EU's first steps towards becoming a military power. It will "provide authorities with necessary elements for a European Security and Defence Policy", the commission memo said.

The commission in Brussels will identify and develop possible uses for GMES. The management of the satellites will fall to the European Space Agency (ESA), which pools the space resources of 15 EU member states, including Britain, plus Norway and Switzerland.

US politicians are already suspicious of the ESA's "Galileo" project, a 30-satellite global navigation system designed to improve on the Pentagon-controlled GPS system. The EU's invitation to China to become a major investor only increased US concern.

GMES is intended to exploit existing assets belonging to individual EU nations. National governments would retain control over their satellites, Mr Kreuzhuber pledged.

Harmonising the use of national assets in space should mean Europe does not need to launch a full set of new satellites though some EU spacecraft are expected to be needed.

With the ESA, the commission has already spent £154 million on preparatory work, and expects the whole project to cost £1.54 billion between 2006 and 2013. Funding is to come from the commission, national governments and private defence and space firms. The Daily Telegraph, 15th November 2005

What a Riot
Sir - I was interested to read (News, November 9) that the French cabinet has authorised a sweeping range of emergency powers [due to the rioting], including the issuing of curfew orders, house arrest and giving the police the ability to raid properties without a warrant.

Doesn't the EU have something to say about this?
I know it's not quite as drastic as trying to sell fruit in pounds and ounces, but surely the French have to be reminded that member states can't go round trying to govern themselves.

Or does that only apply to Britain?