Posted: Wed, Feb 4, 2004, 10:43 AM ET (1543 GMT)
The United States and the European Union fell short of reaching an agreement regarding frequency allocations for Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system, although reports indicate such an agreement could be reached later this month. American and European negotiators met in Washington over the weekend in an attempt to settle disputes between the two regarding concerns that Galileo's choice of frequencies could interfere with a portion of the American GPS system used by military forces. Europeans assured the US that Galileo would not interfere with the GPS "M-code" in any way, but US officials also raised concerns about other Galileo frequency choices. Officials on both sides believed, however, that a resolution would be reached either at a meeting in Brussels later this month or within the next few months.

Related Links:

•  Financial Times article
•  Reuters article
•  Deutsche Welle article
•  New Scientist article