Defense rises to its own defense
Frustrated officials at the Defense Ministry division responsible for ensuring secure military communications are trying to fend off charges that they have subjected other government ministries and even the Royal Palace to illegal surveillance. They're hindered, though, by an ongoing police investigation into their activities.
Frustrated officials at the Defense Ministry division responsible for ensuring secure military communications are trying to fend off charges that they have subjected other government ministries and even the Royal Palace to illegal surveillance. They're hindered, though, by an ongoing police investigation into their activities.
Military experts claim they haven't read any e-mail sent or received by staff at the Royal Palace. PHOTO: Views and News
The investigation is hindering military officials from commenting while the probe is underway, but they nonetheless flatly deny they have opened or read any e-mail communications. They also opened the doors of FOST's base in Lillehammer and gave newspaper Aftenposten background information about how they operate.
"Our job is to reduce the risks for Norwegian women and men in Afghanistan and other places," said Major Roger Johnsen. That involves monitoring data communication lines at all times and reporting any suspicious activity that could threaten so-called "network-based defense."
Now they feel that their very job of following the streams of information over military lines of communication has resulted in a tidal wave of negative publicity. FOST officials repeatedly claimed that they serve at the request of other government agencies, always report irregularities, don't monitor lines without the users being aware of it and don't engage in surveillance of individuals. Nor, they claim, do they use equipment that can monitor mobile telephone conversations even though such equipment is available.
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No such clarity has been forthcoming, and now Gade and his colleagues at FOST are under investigation on suspicion of conducting illegal surveillance. NSM has earlier warned that FOST has been operating with outdated rules.
Strøm-Erichsen, meanwhile, faces questioning in Parliament over the entire issue, also that she called for more computer surveillance because she feared hackers and computer virus attacks.
It's unclear when the police will finish their investigation. Both King Harald and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who initially were suspected of being under illegal surveillance themselves, have declined comment until the probe is concluded.
(Story written June 16, 2009)
Views and News from Norway/Nina Berglund
