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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.
