BIG BROTHER IS LISTENING
The Inside Story: How The US, UK, Canada, Australia And NZ Spy On The World

MIKE FROST, CANADIAN EX-SPY, TO TOUR NZ, OCTOBER 2001

Mike Frost spent 34 years working as a spy, with the final two decades being with the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), the Canadian equivalent of the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), which operates the Tangimoana and Waihopai spybases. CSE and GCSB are the Canadian and New Zealand agencies in the top secret UKUSA global electronic intelligence gathering agreement. The other parties are the US, UK, and Australia. Their most notorious project is codenamed Echelon - a global system of spybases intercepting civilian telecommunications satellites for “keywords” of interest to Big Brother, the US National Security Agency (NSA).

Since retiring, Mike Frost has written about and publicly spoken out against the blatant abuses of his former profession, and has become internationally well known in the process. His best known book is “Spyworld” (1994, reissued 1998). He was seen on NZ TV in 2000, on 60 Minutes; he featured prominently in the groundbreaking 1999 Australian TV documentary about Echelon. In 2001, he has appeared on major US and Canadian TV news and current affairs programmes.

Frost will not speak about internal NZ issues at his public meetings (those will be covered by a New Zealand speaker, such as Nicky Hager, Keith Locke MP, or an Anti-Bases Campaign representative). But he will give an invaluable insider’s global perspective on subjects such as Echelon, and the abuses of international electronic spying.

His visit is extremely timely, what with the Government push to extend the powers of the GCSB, the Security Intelligence Service and the Police to spy on domestic e-mail and all other forms of electronic communication within NZ (the controversial Swain Bill and the GCSB Bill).

MIKE FROST ITINERARY & LOCAL ORGANISERS

Christchurch - Tuesday October 16. Contact Murray Horton, ph/fax (03) 3663988, e-mail: cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

Blenheim – Wednesday October 17. Contact Evin Wood, ph/fax (03) 5782259; e-mail: ewood@mlb.planet.gen.nz

Nelson – Thursday October 18. Contact Will Foote, ph (03) 5474779.

Golden Bay – Friday October 19. Contact Helen Kingston, ph (03) 5259576; e-mail: helenk@voyager.co.nz

Wellington – Tuesday October 23. Contact Mark Roach, ph/fax (04) 9345612; 025 998952; e-mail: artwork@paradise.net.nz

Palmerston North – Wednesday October 24. Contact Dion Martin, ph (06) 3569658 – w; fax (06) 3591333 – w.

Hamilton – Thursday October 25. Contact Jim Holdom, ph (07) 8555699; fax (07) 8555902; e-mail: jholdom@ihug.co.nz

Whangarei – Friday October 26. Contact Don Ross, ph (09) 4382388; e-mail: struggle@igrin.co.nz

Auckland – Mondayctober 29. Contact Gerry Hill, ph (09) 3765989; fax (09) 3765527 e-mail: great.ponsonby@xtra.co.nz

It is an expensive business, bringing a speaker from eastern Canada, and touring him through NZ for a fortnight. Donations are welcome. Make cheques to: ABC, Box 2258, Christchurch. Earmark them for the Mike Frost Tour.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

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