(Germany) Spying on Allies Fits Obama's Standoffish Profile and More Stories

[antiquie]

Last edited Tue Nov 26, 2013, 02:59 PM - Edit history (3)

All from Spiegel email 10/24/2013

Frenemies:
Spying on Allies Fits Obama's Standoffish Profile

Diplomats are not surprised that the security agencies under US President Barack Obama have reportedly been monitoring close allies like German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He has failed to foster close relationships with other heads of state, causing much frustration around the world.

Out of Hand
Europe Furious Over US Spying Allegations

The newest allegations of US spying have unleashed a torrent of criticism and concern in Europe. If suspicions unearthed by SPIEGEL that the US tapped Chancellor Merkel's cell phone turn out to be true, the ramifications for trans-Atlantic ties could be immense.

Merkel's Phone
Spying Suspicions Put Obama in a Tight Spot

Berlin has reacted strongly to suspicions that US intelligence spied on Chancellor Merkel's mobile phone. If the accusations turn out to be true, it will put President Obama in a rather awkward position.

Hot Water
German Foreign Minister Summons US Ambassador

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has summoned the new American ambassador to Berlin over allegations the US has been tapping Chancellor Angela Merkel's cell phone.

That's Just Not Done
Merkel Comments on Spying Allegations

German Chancellor Angela Merkel broke her silence Thursday over German allegations that US intelligence agencies tapped her cell phone. Upon arriving at an EU summit in Brussels, Merkel told reporters that the trust between Germany and the US "now has to be built anew."

10/29

NSA Scandal
Parliamentary Spying Inquiry Poses Challenges

New details continue to emerge over alleged US spying in Germany. A parliamentary investigation could provide clarity - but it also has limitations. The issue constitutes the first stress test for a future coalition government.

Spying Fallout
Conservative Calls for End of Data Pact

With members of his party calling for consequences in the NSA spying affair, a leading member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's sister party says he wants the EU to cancel its Safe Harbor data agreement with the US.

Edit to add new items 10/29

This is a link to a Spiegel page with links to a lot more of their NSA stories.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/topic/nsa_spying_scandal/

Edit to add link to links 11/26

[intaglio]

1. So the story is completely unsupported by evidence

and even The Guardian and the NYT do not give it credence.

[antiquie]

2. Germany believes it true; that is the point of the post.

The unusually strong reaction from the Chancellery was prompted by SPIEGEL research. After the information was examined by the country's foreign intelligence agency, the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), and the Federal Office for Information Security, Berlin seems to have found their suspicions plausible enough to confront the US government.

[pscot]

3. Getting the Germans sore at us

not wise. We need them more than they need us.

[JDPriestly]

5. Very true.

[JDPriestly]

4. Thanks. And new details from Der Standard, a reliable Austrian newspaper:

Briefly, Europeans are pushing for an agreement on privacy and the protection of electronic data and communications but want to wait until after the European elections in 2014 and come to an agreement around end of 2014 or the beginning of 2015.

The article:

"Distrust makes cooperation difficult," said Merkel in discussing Washington. She added that no one at the (European) summit demanded a break in the trade talks with the US. The President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, had raised that possibility before the summit. Likewise, Faymann (Austria) held an interruption in the talks at this time to be unnecessary. "If it is a matter of a couple of weeks, I don't think it would be necessary to stop (the trade negotiations)."

No Small Matter

The European Union Summit made it clear that the violation of privacy or professional data in any form is no "small matter," the German chancellor added. "When suspicious moments (or events) arise regularly, things need to be straightened out." You should "not put off dealing with" the accusations "too long."

Merkel said: We will do everything we can to achieve a mutual agreement for cooperation among the (intelligence?) agencies in Germany, America and France, that will provide a basis for cooperation between them . . . .

The most important thing is to find a basis for the future with the USA, said Merkel. "In the future, something has to change, seriously change." Data protection must be dealt with as a priority. In any case, explained Hollande (France), the target for data-protection reform will be delayed until the end of 2014 or the beginning of 2015 because of the European elections.

***

"Misstrauen erschwert die gemeinsame Arbeit", sagte Merkel in Richtung Washington. Eine Unterbrechung der Gespräche über ein Freihandelsabkommen mit den USA sei bei den Gipfel-Beratungen aber nicht gefordert worden, erklärte sie. Das hatte der Präsident des Europaparlaments, Martin Schulz, vor dem Treffen ins Gespräch gebracht. Auch Faymann hält ein Aussetzen der Verhandlungen vorerst nicht für notwendig. "Ich würde, wenn es um ein paar Wochen geht, es nicht notwendig finden, dass man da extra was sistiert".

"Kein Kavaliersdelikt"

Der EU-Gipfel habe klar erklärt, dass jede Art der Verletzung der Privatsphäre oder von beruflichen Daten "kein Kavaliersdelikt" sei, so der Bundeskanzler weiter. "Wenn in regelmäßigen Abständen Verdachtsmomente auftauchen, dann muss das alles ausgeräumt werden." Man dürfe die Klärung der Vorwürfe "nicht auf die lange Bank schieben."

Merkel sagte: "Wir werden alles daransetzen, dass wir bis Ende des Jahres ein gemeinsames Verständnis für die Kooperation der Dienste zwischen Deutschland und Amerika und Frankreich und Amerika bekommen, also einen Kooperationsrahmen zwischen den jeweiligen Diensten (...)".

. . . .

Das Allerwichtigste sei jetzt, mit den USA eine Basis für die Zukunft zu finden, sagte Merkel. "Für die Zukunft muss etwas verändert werden und zwar gravierend." So müsse das Thema Datenschutz vorrangig behandelt werden. Allerdings wurde die Zielmarke für die EU-Datenschutzreform vom kommenden Jahr auf "Ende 2014 oder Anfang 2015" aufgeschoben. Grund seien die Europawahlen, durch die es oft Verzögerungen gebe, erläuterte Hollande.

http://derstandard.at/1381369819911/Merkel-und-Hollande-sollen-NSA-Affaere-aufklaeren

[BelgianMadCow]

6. Excellent roundup antiquie

those ignoring the blowback do so at their peril. Especially since even should the EU reaction be political theater (which I don't believe, anymore), the reaction of the people is very strong in Germany.