XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX FRI FEB 11, 2000 12:02:51 ET XXXXX France to Sue US, UK OVER Echelon Spy Network Dean blasts potential collusion between governments and businesses WASHINGTON, DC - A class action lawsuit is being prepared in France against the US and British governments for taking part in an international espionage network. The suit asserts that English-speaking nations collaborated to secretly intercept telephone, fax and e-mail data from other nations' governments and companies, including France. "The European Parliament has already issued preliminary studies regarding the capabilities of the Echelon system," said Free Congress Foundation's Vice President for Technology Policy Lisa S. Dean. "Congressman Bob Barr has called for oversight hearings on Echelon and its impact on the privacy of American citizens and businesses. It is critical that US leaders in Congress learn the full truth about Echelon, the potential for the further erosion of privacy of American citizens, and the impact the system might have on American business for foreign or domestic competitors." Echelon in the US falls under the National Security Agency, America's most secretive governmental agency. Until recently, all members of the UKUSA alliance - a network of the secret services in the US, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - denied the existence of Echelon. This month, however, George Washington University published documented proof confirming Echelon and its far-reaching capabilities. "Over the past year there has been growing concerns both here and abroad not so much about how it impacts citizens but about the potential collusion between governments and businesses in the conducting of economic espionage. For the US to put itself where it could be sued by another nation, business or entity can have dangerous consequences on national security and the global marketplace," warned Dean. "It makes the initiative to hold hearings by Bob Barr all the more critical."