EU to fund research into bomb sniffing machines

BRUSSELS, Oct 13 (Reuters) European Union money will be used to develop machines that detect explosives in an attempt to make life safer for the bloc's citizens and kick-start new markets, a top EU official said atoday.

The EU's executive arm, the European Commission unveiled 15 security-related research projects that will receive a total of 18.84 million dollars from the bloc's funds.

''Recent terrorist events in the UK and Germany have once again drawn our attention to the threats posed to European transport systems,'' Commission Vice President Guenter Verheugen told reporters.

One project aims to develop a portable instrument to detect explosives, including liquids, at check points such as airports, customs and main post offices.

Liquids became a focus of security concerns after authorities in London said in August they had foiled a plot to bomb flights bound for the United States using liquid explosives.

EU transport ministers yesterday agreed Thursday to introduce new rules restricting the amount of liquids passengers may take on board planes from Nov. 6.

Other research projects include better coordination of emergency services and protecting water supplies against attacks. One project will study new ways of spotting money laundering and terrorism financing.

There will also be a project to enhance border security and help police officers spend more time patrolling streets.

''Currently their efficiency suffers from poor information capture and management, lack of connection with vehicles and central office. They spend too much time in office work,'' a Commission statement said.

The first research results should be available at the end of next year and should help create new business opportunities.

''It could create a strong European role on the world market,'' he said.

The research will be for civil and not military uses, a key issue in a bloc where several members are neutral states.

''We are not doing defence, but homeland security. We will not go over the line,'' Verheugen said.

REUTERS KD ND2022