I would like to know a lot more about this operation of May 1994.
As is common on the electronic frontier, reports are confused and
inconsistent. Clearly the Italian police and prosecutors involved are not
overly anxious to discuss the matter. If I do successfully learn anything
about this matter, however, or about others that may happen, I believe it
will be because of ALCEI. ALCEI was formed after this event, and not in
response to it: but now there is watchdog. This does not mean an
end to such troubles, of course. However, now at least there is an
organized group of people who will make it their business to study and
discuss events like these. I wish them well.
In early December 1994, I was in Rome to celebrate the release of
one of my novels in Italian translation, *ISLANDS IN THE NET* (ISOLA NELLA
RETE). No sooner had I arrived in Rome than I was alarmed and saddened to
hear of a computer-intrusion attack on the Adn-Kronos news agency.
I regard attacks on news agencies, from whatever quarter and for whatever
reason, as a very serious matter. Computer intrusions which attack a
source of information to the public are a serious crime. Such activity
is immoral and deserving of punishment. The Adn-Kronos case is
particularly repellent because of the megalomaniacal boasting of the
intruder, who threatened the public with his group's intent to harm society
and disrupt telecommunications.
I make no judgment about the existence or nonexistence of the so-called
"Falange Armata." Nevertheless, to my knowledge this is the first
case in the world of a computer-intrusion attack by someone claiming,
or pretending, to be an armed terrorist group. Once again Italy is setting
the pace for what may become general developments worldwide.
Historically, it has not been uncommon for political developments to
begin in Italy and spread to the rest of the world. The Roman Empire, for
instance. The Renaissance -- a great gift of Italian civilization. This
alone would make it worthwhile to study Italian developments -- even
without the twentieth century's rather less happy experiences with Italian
political innovation.
It is not my business to direct how Italians should choose to run
their own affairs, in cyberspace or elsewhere. However, I think it is not
too much to ask that I be allowed to watch -- and to watch closely. I hope
to do exactly that, with the help of my new colleagues in ALCEI. I would
urge others of similar interests to lend their support to the ALCEI group.
I wish them every success in the new year, 1995 -- and beyond into the
third millennium of our common global civilization.
Bruce Sterling (bruces@well.sf.ca.us), Austin Texas USA Dec 9 1994
(to be continued)
