Brussels, 28/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Director General of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), German magistrate Franz-Herman Brüner, has decided to open an internal investigation that above all concerns officials working under him, suspected of leaking confidential information to the press in exchange for money. A journalist from a Belgian press agency received copies of an internal OLAF document analysing the paper by Paul van Buitenen on the 207 allegations of fraud or bad conduct on the part of officials within the European institutions (see EUROPE of 2 March, p.14), on inquiries that were opened to follow up Mr van Buitenen's document). Recently, the agency echoed a fraud case regarding the real estate policy of the Community, a matter in which the name of Jacques Santer appears. If, after the internal inquiry, the existence of such an offence is proven, the Office will carry out disciplinary action and inform the relevant judiciary authorities, states OLAF in a press release, adding that its transparency policy has limits, especially: - those established by Community legislation; - national laws relating to the secret of national inquiries coordinated by OLAF; - respect of the confidentiality of inquiries as well as individual rights such as the protection of privacy; - data protection; - obligations relating to the protection of professional secrets; - and rules relating to the protection of confidentiality in criminal investigations and legal proceedings.
OLAF decided to publish this press release because of the many rumours and speculation that recently appeared in the media, its aim being to clarify this subject form the OLAF point of view and so prevent all misunderstanding. It adds that the internal investigation will not be the subject of any other comment until it has been concluded.
OLAF's independence is discussed by Cocobu representatives
During the last meeting, on Tuesday, of the parliamentary committee of the budgetary control committee (Cocobu), its chairperson, Diemut Theato (CDU) had declared that OLAF's independence leaves much to be desired and that it was "unacceptable that the press, unlike us, should have the OLAF confidential report on Mr van Buitenen's revelations". She announced her intention to ask the European Commission to explain itself on this matter in writing. Bart States (Greens/EFA, Belgium) even suggested inviting Commission Vice-President Neil Kinnock and Mr van Buitenen to the meeting to shed full light on the affair before the Cocobu members. Michiel van Hulten (PES, Netherlands) felt, on the other hand, that such a hearing would be a "dangerous sign" that would lead the outside world to "conclude that we do not trust the way the Commission and OLAF act". After a brief exchange of views between MEPs, Ms Theato simply pointed out that Cocobu will draft a report on the matter for 15 April, in order to asses the measures to be taken or invitations to be sent.