1ST LEAD EU ministers approve law-enforcement storage of air passenger data By Alexandra Mayer-Hohdahl, dpa

Brussels (dpa) - EU interior ministers gave their blessing Friday for the data of airline passengers travelling to, from and within their bloc to be systematically stored for law enforcement purposes, as part of efforts to fight terrorism.The creation of a European passenger name records (PNR) system has been under discussion for nearly five years, but was stymied by data privacy concerns until the Paris terrorist attacks in January and November gave it new momentum."You know to what extent France is mobilized on this subject," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told journalists in Brussels. "This agreement ... is essential to show that the union of democracies puts itself in a situation to vanquish terrorism.""This is an important contribution to the fight against terrorism and serious crime," German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere added.Under the deal endorsed by the ministers, passenger data such as names and credit card numbers would be stored for five years, but would be rendered anonymous after six months.The ministers also promised to collect data not just on flights to and from the European Union, but also on intra-EU and charter flights - meeting a demand by Cazeneuve.But for the new system to be created, the European Parliament now has to give its approval. The legislature has been highly wary of PNR and blocked the proposal for more than two years before the Paris attacks, over data privacy concerns.PNR supporters, however, argue that the system is key for the fight against terrorism, in particular to track so-called foreign fighters, Europeans who travel to Syria or Iraq and could then return home radicalized and ready to carry out attacks.Last-minute politicking by some factions in the parliament raised concerns that the initial compromise reached with and voted on by the EU ministers on Friday may be undercut.The leaders of the two largest political groups, the conservative European People‘s Party and the left-wing Socialists, told EU ministers on Friday that they would only accept a deal if PNR data was made anonymous after nine months, instead of six.They also demanded that EU member states automatically exchange information, something the ministers have refused to do."I have always played a role as an honest broker, but it seems there has been a great deal of dishonesty happening around me," said Timothy Kirkhope, the EU parliamentarian who negotiated the compromise on the legislature‘s behalf. "They wonder why people across Europe are disillusioned with European politics."Kirkhope said he would recommend the parliament‘s civil liberties committee accept the compromise. It is expected to vote on Thursday, before the whole parliament takes a position in January.All EU member states except Denmark - which is not participating under special arrangements it has with the bloc - would have two years to transpose the new PNR rules into their national legislation if they are approved.But EU Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said the PNR system would be "up and running very, very soon, if not immediately."According to Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano, an intergovernmental deal will allow several countries to start storing passenger data even before the EU legislative process is completed.Several ministers had called on Friday for quick action."We‘ve been waiting too long for a deal on passenger name records. We need a deal now," British Home Secretary Theresa May said."Terrorism can hit at any time. We need this tool," Cazeneuve added."I think everyone understands that there is no time to lose," Avramopoulos noted. "The agreement is balanced, proportionate and will help to improve the security of citizens while respecting their rights."