Europe defers body-scanner debate

Spain: In view of the reticence of some member countries, the 27-member European Union postponed for June a decision to introduce full-body scanners in airports, as promoted by the United States.

The EU Transportation Ministers reached a preliminary agreement on Friday that is only a starting point to discuss the issue thoroughly in the Council of Ministers to be held in four months.

In a meeting in La Coruna, Galicia, in Spain, the Ministers agreed to draft a regulation taking into account likely collateral damages of the said security technology to the travellers' health and privacy.

EU Transportation Commissioner Siim Kallas announced that the European Commission will present in April a report on the use of the controversial devices that will serve as a base to draw conclusions to be presented in June.

He explained that EU member states might regulate the use of body scanners, but without imposing any obligation.

Besides health and privacy-related issues, the document to be presented in April should include an analysis on the legal effects of the measure.

The result is expected to be a code of conduct guaranteeing that the images are immediately destroyed and that no selective control is carried out on race, gender or any other grounds.

Prensa Latina