DATE=1/8/98

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-224984

TITLE=GERMANY / BUGGING (L ONLY)

BYLINE=KYLE KING 

DATELINE=BONN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO: THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT SAYS POLICE WILL SOON BE ABLE TO 

PLACE SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT IN THE HOMES OF SUSPECTED CRIMINALS 

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE END OF THE NAZI ERA OF THE 1930S AND

40S.  FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS. 



TEXT:   GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY AGREEMENT ON THE NEW CRIME 

FIGHTING RULES CAME AFTER LONG TALKS BETWEEN CHANCELLOR HELMUT 

KOHL'S GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.  THE 

AGREEMENT CLEARS THE WAY FOR BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT TO PASS 

THE MEASURE, WHICH REQUIRES A CHANGE IN THE GERMAN CONSTITUTION. 



INTERIOR MINISTER MANFRED KANTHER SAYS THE NEW LAW WILL GIVE 

AUTHORITIES THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO FIGHT ORGANIZED CRIME AND 

MONEY LAUNDERING. 



THE NEW EAVESDROPPING LAW, WHICH IS PART OF A LONG DEBATED 

PACKAGE OF CRIME FIGHTING MEASURES, WILL RESTORE A POLICE TOOL 

THAT WAS WIDELY ABUSED BY SECRET POLICE DURING THE NAZI ERA.  



CRITICS SAY THE LEGISLATION WILL VIOLATE CONSTITUTIONAL 

PROTECTIONS OF FREE SPEECH AND PRIVACY.  GERMAN JOURNALISTS SAY 

THE NEW LAW WILL ALSO VIOLATE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS RULES BECAUSE 

INFORMANTS WILL NO LONGER FEEL SAFE TALKING WITH JOURNALISTS IN 

THEIR HOMES OR OFFICES. 



UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED NEXT 

WEEK, POLICE WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET A COURT ORDER BEFORE THEY 

PLACE LISTENING EQUIPMENT IN HOMES. POLICE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED 

TO BUG THE HOMES OF PRIESTS, DEFENSE LAWYERS OR LEGISLATORS. 



UNDER GERMANY'S POST WAR CONSTITUTION, POLICE ARE NOW BARRED FROM

ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE, AND THE INTERCEPTION OF MAIL AND PHONE 

CONVERSATIONS EXCEPT IN VERY LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.  (SIGNED) 



NEB/KBK/PCF/KL



08-Jan-98 11:50 AM EST (1650 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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