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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