Whilst all the other agencies are covered in the Secret Kingdom
are proactive in one way or another, GCHQ is more of a support agency.
It has the responsibility of monitoring and intercepting communications
for the government. The end of the Cold War has brought the same widening
of targets to GCHQ as visited upon MI6. More terrorists, terrorist states,
and even friendly states to monitor. Perhaps even organised crime? GCHQ
faces a bigger battle however, technology. The proliferation of the Internet,
and digital encryption (on devices such as mobile phones) make the job of
intercepting communications ever more complex.
National
Security Agency (NSA): US communications
monitoring agency.
Communications
Security Establishment (CSE): Canadian Signals Intelligence Agency -
official and unofficial sites
GCHQ
is based in Cheltenham.
I have
no idea who is currently in charge of GCHQ, but in July, 1996, Mr David
Omand, 48, will take over as the head of GCHQ. Source: Sunday Times 14/04/96.
Around
6,000 people work for GCHQ, expected to fall to 4,500 by 1997. They have recruited publically for some time. The Guardian (15/11/95).
The
Telegraph (21/12/95) reported that the Foreign Secretary is too ease restrictions
on GCHQ staff joining unions. GCHQ staff have been banned from belonging
to unions since they took industrial action during the Falklands conflict.
The Government Communications Staff Federation (which is the only group
allowed to represent GCHQ staff on issues like pay and conditions) will
now be able to get a certificate of independence. GCHQ staff will still
be prevented from striking or taking matters to industrial tribunals.
It is
difficult to find specific events where GCHQ was directly involved, they are
more of a supporting agency for other organisations.
Britain
has secretly spend £500 million on spy satellites. After the failure of
the Zircon project, Britain’s failed attempt to produce a spy satellite of
its own, the UK has turned to the US. The Americans have extensive experience
in producing spy satellites, and Britain has often had access to the intelligence
gathered from US satellites because of the "special relationship" between the
two countries. In the mid to late 80’s though, there was concern that the
American NSA was holding back increasingly on information passed to the UK’s GCHQ.
This, compounded with the failure of the Zircon project, left Britain with three
choices; attempt again to develop a domestic spy satellite programme, purchase a
"subscription" from the Americans, or stay out of the spy satellite business.
The first was thought too costly financially, whilst the third was too costly
militarily. A select group of ministers gathered together to discuss the proposal,
the full cabinet and parliament were never informed. In return for a payment of
£500 million, GCHQ was given access to the US Magnum series of spy satellites
(launched over 1994-5). The UK could be considered to "own" one of the three
satellites. The UK would also have the right to "task" any of the satellites
for upto one third of the time. However, no satellite would be delivered to the
UK, and the technology would remain with the NSA. The NSA would also retain a
right of veto over GCHQ in the tasking of the satellites.
For the graphically impaired:
[ SK
| MI5 | MI6
| GCHQ | SAS
| SBS | OTHERS
| LINKS |
WHY? | WHO
]
Please check out the disclaimer
Last updated:
08/09/96