1998-10-01 - Echelon’s Origin

Header Data

From: John Young <jya@pipeline.com>
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Message Hash: cbf25f9195d2400f93946149f24c6781486d444204b50adce585324e00b49e6a
Message ID: <199810020204.WAA04835@dewdrop2.mindspring.com>
Reply To: N/A
UTC Datetime: 1998-10-01 13:10:55 UTC
Raw Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 21:10:55 +0800

Raw message

From: John Young <jya@pipeline.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 21:10:55 +0800
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Echelon's Origin
Message-ID: <199810020204.WAA04835@dewdrop2.mindspring.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain



The NSA released during the summer a Top Secret
memorandum by Truman in 1952 establishing NSA 
as the lead COMINT agency for the USG:

   http://jya.com/nsa102452.htm

After the dry description of decisionmaking procedures
there are tantalizing pointers to the means NSA is to
use to spy on foreign governments' communications, 
with reference to accommodating allies at NSA facilities
-- read it carefully.

Also, it's chilling to read that COMINT was so vital that
Truman declared it to be free from any constraints placed 
on all other forms of intelligence. And the DIRNSA was given
authority to command any military department or civilian
agency for COMINT purposes

It would be helpful to learn what superceded this memo for
authority to engage in global COMINT. Yes, we accept
anonymous contributions for COMINTers.

Erich Moechel writes that France has its version of Echelon
and wiretapping, and shares its fruits with Germany, in 
competition with the Echelon-Five. 

   The French have built up an Echelon like wiretapping system 
   of their own, operating from Dordogne (France), French Guayana 
   & Nouvelle Caledonie.

Would anyone have more information on this program? And what
about other Echelons around the world?







Thread