Merkel’s phone tapped by the US, Germany claims

Series Title
Series Details 24.10.13
Publication Date 24/10/2013
Content Type

EurActiv and other news sources reported on the 24 October 2013 that the German government had obtained information that the United States may have monitored the mobile phone of Chancellor Angela Merkel and that she had called President Barack Obama on the 23 October 2013 to demand an immediate clarification. Merkel told reporters on the 24 October 2013 at the European Council summit in Brussels that 'spying among friends - that doesn't work'.

The US denid that the National Security Agency monitored Angela Merkel's mobile phone.

Some of the articles also linked this development with the negotiations to adopt a revised data protection law in the EU.

In the conclusions to the European Council summit issued on the 25 October 2013 EU heads of state and government said that distrust of the US over spying could harm the fight against terrorism, and urged a new code by the end of 2013.

A statement agreed by the leaders says a lack of trust 'could prejudice co-operation in intelligence gathering'.
But it also said they valued the 'close relationship' with the US.

Furthermore, and according to Spiegel research, United States intelligence agencies have not only targeted Chancellor Angela Merkel's cellphone, but they have also used the American Embassy in Berlin as a listening station.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.euractiv.com/infosociety/merkels-phone-tapped-us-germany-news-531281
Related Links
BBC News, 24.10.13: Spying row: Merkel urges US to restore trust at EU summit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24647602
ESO: Background information: German press says US bugged UN, EU teleconferences http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-press-says-us-bugged-un-eu-teleconferences/
EUObserver, 24.10.13: Merkel spy row unlikely to speed up EU data law http://euobserver.com/justice/121892
ESO: Background information: EU lawmakers vote stricter data privacy rules http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-lawmakers-vote-stricter-data-privacy-rules/
Deutsche Welle, 24.10.13: Did the US tap Angela Merkel's phone? http://dw.de/p/1A5HJ
Spiegel Online International, 24.10.13: 'That's Just Not Done': Merkel Comments on Spying Allegations http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-comments-on-allegations-the-us-spied-on-her-cell-phone-a-929870.html
Die Welt, 24.10.13: Communication lines under tension (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/4267281-communication-lines-under-tension
BBC News, 25.10.13: EU says distrust of US on spying may harm terror fight http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24668286
EUObserver, 25.10.13: Merkel to seek intelligence rule book with US http://euobserver.com/news/121895
France24, 24.10.13: Paris also snoops on US, says ex-French spy boss http://www.france24.com/en/20131024-nsa-france-spying-squarcini-dcri-hollande-ayrault-merkel-usa-obama
ESO: Background information: France summons US ambassador over 'spying' http://www.europeansources.info/record/france-summons-us-ambassador-over-spying/
ESO: Background information: European Council, Brussels, 24-25 October 2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-24-25-october-2013/
European Council: Press Release: EUCO/169/13: European Council - 24/25 October 2013 - Conclusions http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/139197.pdf
Deutsche Welle, 25.10.13: All eyes on NSA at EU summit http://dw.de/p/1A5ro
Deutsche Welle, 27.10.13: Media reports suggest Obama knew NSA spied on Merkel http://dw.de/p/1A6m6
The Guardian, 25.10.13: After bugging, EU should speak with one voice (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/4269661-after-bugging-eu-should-speak-one-voice
BBC News, 27.10.13: Obama 'not told of Merkel phone bugging' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24698142
Deutsche Welle, 27.10.13: Was US eavesdropping possibly legal? http://dw.de/p/1A6lK
Euro|Topics, 24.10.13: Merkel possibly spied on by US http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aeltere/NEWSLETTER-2013-10-24-Merkel-possibly-spied-on-by-US
EurActiv, 28.10.13: Fresh claims emerge in US-Germany spying row http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/source-obama-spied-merkel-trust-news-531355
EUObserver, 28.10.13: US struggling to contain Europe spying scandal http://euobserver.com/foreign/121912
Deutsche Welle, 28.10.13: Can Germany call on Snowden as a witness? http://dw.de/p/1A6z1
Spiegel Online International, 27.10.13: Embassy Espionage: The NSA's Secret Spy Hub in Berlin http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cover-story-how-nsa-spied-on-merkel-cell-phone-from-berlin-embassy-a-930205.html
Euro|Topics, 25.10.13: Europe seeks answer to spying scandal http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aeltere/NEWSLETTER-2013-10-25-Europe-seeks-answer-to-spying-scandal
Spiegel Online International, 28.10.13: Appearances and Reality: Merkel Balks at EU Privacy Push http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/germany-impedes-eu-privacy-efforts-despite-outrage-at-nsa-spying-a-930488.html
Social Europe Journal, 29.10.13: Merkel’s American Minders http://www.social-europe.eu/2013/10/merkels-american-minders/
Spiegel Online International, 04.11.13: Codependent: Merkel's Pragmatic Approach to the NSA Scandal http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nsa-scandal-berlin-restricted-by-close-relationship-with-us-intelligence-a-931503.html

Subject Categories ,
Countries / Regions , ,