EU pushes anti-terror plans for the Web

By Ingrid Melander

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europe should strengthen the fight against terrorism by cracking down on militant Web sites and compiling U.S.-style profiles of air passengers, the European Union executive said on Tuesday.

The proposals coincided with 17 arrests across Europe in an operation led by Italy against suspected "Salafist jihadi" cells, the latest in a series of major European anti-terrorism investigations this year.

"Terrorists will strike whenever, wherever and with whatever means to make the most impact ... We cannot be complacent," EU Justice and Security Commissioner Franco Frattini said.

"A large percent of the terrorist attacks and plots are related to extremist groups using Islam to commit crimes," he told a news conference, while adding it would be a "tremendous mistake" to conclude that any religion supports terrorism.

The European Commission wants the EU's 27 member states to collect 19 pieces of personal data on travellers flying to or from the bloc, including their phone numbers, e-mail addresses, payment details and travel agent.

The plan mirrors a U.S. scheme put in place after the September 11 attacks and has been criticised by lawmakers and rights groups who say it breaches privacy rights.

"We see the great danger that in a few years, the security agencies' databases will determine the freedom of travel of the individual," said Silke Stokar, a member of parliament for Germany's Greens.

"Already today, the reality in the United States is that political activities like opposing the Iraq war lead to people getting on 'no-fly' lists and being excluded from flights."