Keeping Spies Out: Germany Ratchets Up Counterintelligence Measures

[unhappycamper]

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-increases-counterintelligence-in-response-to-us-spying-a-982135.html



Last year Britain's Independent newspaper exposed that Britain's GCHQ had established a "secret listening post" on top of the British Embassy in Berlin. The cylindric structure has since been removed.

Keeping Spies Out: Germany Ratchets Up Counterintelligence Measures
July 22, 2014 – 05:25 PM

Last Wednesday, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière paid a visit to his colleague in the Foreign Ministry, Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a strictly confidential conversation about the currently tense relationship with the United States. Specifically, they planned to address the latest spying revelations and accusations. Before the meeting began, both ministers turned in their mobile phones. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has a small side room he uses for this purpose; part of the Foreign Ministry is in the former Nazi Reichsbank and has very thick walls. The room is now used to store smartphones and tablet computers when sensitive discussions take place.

The precaution reflects the significant disquiet and anxiety in Berlin's ministries and in the Chancellery as the summer holidays get underway. Slowly, ministry officials are starting to grapple with the true meaning of "360 degree" counterintelligence. It means defending yourself not just usual suspects like Russia or China. But also against Germany's closest allies, particularly the United States.

A few days ago, Chancellor Merkel reportedly told US President Barack Obama in a telephone conversation that anger over the US spying activities in Berlin's government quarter as well as the recruitment of an informant inside Germany's Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) foreign intelligence service has in no way subsided. Because Obama apparently expressed little understanding for the commotion in Germany, Merkel is now taking action.

The only thing she is lacking is a solid plan.

[DetlefK]

1. Obama doesn't realize that the US is a creepy stalker.

Germans have this reputation of being straightforward and honest even when otherwise would be better. That's totally true. If there's one thing Germans despise, then it's sleaziness. (Except maybe in Munich's high-society.) For example: German newspapers LOVE pounding on Berlusconi.

Germany considered the US a friend. Now this friend has turned out to be a stalking creep. The US obviously thinks that Germany wouldn't mind when it breaks into its appartment at night and goes through the drawers, reads private notes and documents and makes copies of everything it can get its hands on, touches private items...
They are friends!
The US would never harm Germany!!
How could Germany possibly mind???