Germany - Amsterdam Aesthetics originally published at Germany - Amsterdam Aesthetics
By Kristen Welker, Catherine Chomiak and Erin McClam, NBC News
German officials plan to travel to Washington in coming weeks after reports of broad spying by the United States, including the monitoring of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cellphone.
Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, confirmed the German travel plans on Friday and said that U.S. government officials look forward to the meeting.
A senior Obama administration official said that the spying reports would be among the topics of discussion.
The Guardian newspaper of Britain, citing classified documents leaked by the fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden, reported that the United States monitored the phone calls of 35 world leaders.
On Wednesday, Merkel called President Barack Obama to demand answers. Jay Carney, the White House press secretary, said that Obama assured Merkel that the United States “is not monitoring and will not monitor her communications.”
He fell short of disclosing any past practices, and the German government did not appear satisfied. A spokesman for Merkel said that “she made clear that she views such practices, if proven true, as completely unacceptable.”
Reports about U.S. surveillance have generated anger around the world. France and Germany are insisting that the United States agree on new surveillance rules this year.
Germany - Siver News originally published at Germany - Siver News
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Germany - Amsterdam Aesthetics originally published at Germany - Amsterdam Aesthetics