German press says US bugged UN, EU teleconferences

The US National Security Agency had bugged the United Nations' New York headquarters, Germany's Der Spiegel weekly reported on the 25 August 2013 in a report on US spying that could further strain relations between Washington and its allies.

EUObserver reported Peer Steinbrück, the SPD candidate to be Germany's next Chancellor, demanded to halt EU-US trade negotiations amid revelations that Washington was spying on its European allies.

'I would interrupt the negotiations until the Americans say if German government offices and European institutions are bugged or wiretapped', Steinbrueck said on 25 August 2013 in an interview with public broadcaster ARD.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Snowden Claims: NSA Ties Put German Intelligence in Tight Spot http://www.europeansources.info/record/snowden-claims-nsa-ties-put-german-intelligence-in-tight-spot/

ESO: Background Information: Attacks from America: NSA Spied on European Union Offices http://www.europeansources.info/record/attacks-from-america-nsa-spied-on-european-union-offices/

EUObserver, 26.08.13: Merkel rival demands halt of EU-US talks http://euobserver.com/political/121203

Wikipedia: Special Collection Service http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Collection_Service

Aftenposten / The Observer / Dagens Nyheter, 26.08.13: Scandinavian media defends press freedom (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/4087041-scandinavian-media-defends-press-freedom

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