[heise.de] French President Nicolas Sarkozy has asked the president of the
European Commission (EC), José Manuel Barroso to oppose a passage in
what is known as the Telecoms Package. The passage states that cutting
off users‘ internet access – for example, because of copyright
violations – requires a prior decision from a judicial authority. After
the EC refused to comply, Sarkozy’s office softened its tone: The
"unfortunately published document" was not intended to put pressure on
the EC but simply illustrate the French government’s position.
The rather unusual incident is related to the first reading of the Telecoms Package
(PDF) in the European Parliament, in which the EU Parliament adopted
the proposed amendment number 138 with 573 to 74 votes. Citing EU Charter
(PDF) article 11, which emphasises the freedom of information, the
amendment proposes that internet access may only be cut off following a
warrant by a judicial authority.
This passage directly opposes French plans for an internet police
which can issue warnings and block problem content or even cut off
individual citizens without such a warrant. Accordingly, Nicolas
Sarkozy’s fax states quite directly that "Il est notamment
fondamental que l’amendement No. 138 adopté par le Parlement européen
soit rejeté par la Commision. Pour écarter l’amendement, je sollicite
votre engagement personnel et celui de la commissaire en charge du
dossier". ("It is of fundamental importance that amendment number
138, which was adopted by the EU Parliament, be rejected by the
Commission. To prevent this amendment, I ask for your personal
engagement and the engagement of the Commissioner responsible for this
package").
For Viviane Reding, the responsible Commissioner mentioned by
Sarkozy, a response was issued yesterday by Martin Selmayr, the EC’s
spokesman for information society and media. He pointed out the
necessity to adhere to democratic decision-making processes for the
adoption of the Telecoms Package.
"The European Commission respects this democratic decision of the
European Parliament. In our opinion this amendment is an important
re-affirmation of the basic principles of the rule of law in the EU, in
particular the fundamental rights of its citizens." It is important to
create a healthy balance between the right to privacy, the right to
freedom of information and the rights of others, he said.
The French President’s political activism has generally caused
irritation. The Telecoms Package still needs to be ratified by the
Council of Ministers. This council can reject individual amendments or
the entire package and refer it back to the EU Parliament for another
reading. (Detlef Borchers)
Source: http://www.heise-online.co.uk/news/French-president-scuttles-resolution-by-EU-Parliament–/111701
