'Out of Hand': Europe Furious Over US Spying Allegations

[BelgianMadCow]

Source: Der Spiegel Online

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.

Leading politicians and media commentators in Germany expressed serious concern on Thursday following allegations that US intelligence agencies had tapped Chancellor Angela Merkel's cell phone. Merkel's spokesman confirmed that she placed an angry call Wednesday night to United States President Barack Obama to discuss the suspicions, which arose from an inquiry by SPIEGEL.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle took the unusual step Thursday morning of summoning the US ambassador, John B. Emerson, who is set to meet with the minister in the afternoon. A source at the Foreign Ministry told SPIEGEL ONLINE on Thursday that Westerwelle will meet with the ambassador "in person."

Sharp criticism also came from German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière. "If what we are now hearing is true, that would be really bad," he told broadcaster ARD. "The Americans are and remain our closest friends, but this is completely unacceptable." De Maizière went on to say that he had assumed for years his own phone had been tapped. "However, I did not expect the Americans," he added. Asked about possible effects on US-German and US-European relations, de Maizière said: "We can't simply return to business as usual. There are allegations in France, too." Diplomatic relations between France and the US have been strained following reports that millions of French calls had been monitored by US intelligence agencies.

Read more: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/angry-european-and-german-reactions-to-merkel-us-phone-spying-scandal-a-929725.html

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Some more EU reactions not mentioned by Der Spiegel:

EU justice commissioner Viviane Reding told Bild Online "We now need big european data protection against big listening ears"

EU-commissioner for internal affairs Michel Barnier, said to the BBC "Enough is enough, the trust in the USA is shocked"

Hannes Swoboda, Fraction Leader of the Social Democrats in the EU parliamant said the EU would do good to not just revisit the SWIFT-treaty with the US, but also other treaties that deal with data protection. He also said he couldn't imagine the case of Merkel was an exception and suspects the NSA is doing this sytematically.

All snipped from this article on FAZ, in german. Translation mine.

In the same FAZ article we learn that the US DID confirm explicitly Cameron was never spied on, whilst refusing to do so for Merkel.

It's clear which conclusion to draw.

GD thread with more details & sources here.

[shawn703]

1. Et tu, Brute?

Also known as, the dangers of not knowing what those you call "friend" are really up to.

[BelgianMadCow]

2. SPD reaction "No free trade treaty without resolution for the spying"

http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/affaere-um-merkel-handy-gabriel-stellt-eu-freihandelsabkommen-mit-usa-in-frage-1.1802827

SPD-Chef Sigmar Gabriel sieht wegen der Abhöraffäre um das Merkel-Handy die Verhandlungen über ein EU-Freihandelsabkommen mit den USA in Gefahr. Dieses Vertragswerk dürfe nicht abgeschlossen werden, ohne zuvor zu klären, "dass die Freiheitsrechte der Bürger gesichert werden", sagte Gabriel nach einem Treffen mit dem französischen Sozialistenchef Harlem Désir in Berlin.

Daniel of the SPD is referring to the TTIP. Note that SPD is Merkel's future coalition partner.

I personally find it makes zero sense to have a trade agreement with a "partner" like that, and am against the TTIP anyway, so good news to me. Of course, only words for now and a long distance between this and an actual halt to the TTIP.

[Mira]

3. The Germans are furious

as my friends and family are reporting to me. Also, as of late, a couple of German friends say they no longer feel free to talk to me on the phone about controversial things, thinking my phone may not be safe.

[avebury]

4. The same is probably also true about emails and any other forms

of social media like Face Book.

[BelgianMadCow]

5. Not probably. Surely.

The government made so many requests of Facebook that they got direct access. The PRISM revelations also confirmed that.

NSA's Prism surveillance program: how it works and what it can do, from the Guardian
Slide from secret PowerPoint presentation describes how program collects data 'directly from the servers' of tech firms (Google (inc GMail and Youtube), Yahoo, Microsoft (Hotmail), Facebook, AOL, Skype)

[rtracey]

6. Big Fucking Deal

What the Germans, Russians, and other countries are not spying on us..Bull, they are, but they need to "act" furious... wow everyone is "shocked" that the US is spying....get real.... Remember Benedict Arnold....

[L0oniX]

10. Yea I agree. I mean we need our jobs at the NSA. How dare they object to you making a good income.

[rtracey]

17. thanks

Yes, well 1st, I dont work for NSA, and 2nd, you may be in jest with your statement, but seriously, do you really think none of our allies are spying on us right now... you can't believe that its not true?

[George II]

7. I think anyone who thinks that Germany, or any of our other "allies", aren't spying on us are....

...grossly naive. One only has to recall the saga of Daniel Pollard and Israel.

[bemildred]

8. That being so, why did the fuckwits at NSA give them this club to beat us with?

If they are not immoral, are they not also quite incompetent?

[melody]

27. Exactly! They all spy on each other -- the EU is just hoping to use this as a marketing edge

The right-wing EU is every bit as dangerous and malignant an organization as the right-wing US is. Those of us in North America are finally cornering these bastards.

I wish people would learn these monsters are *everywhere* -- they aren't confined to one country.

[L0oniX]

9. Serves them right for not using the "Cone of Silence".

[awoke_in_2003]

13. What?

[Hassan_Sabbah]

14. I was going to explain the reference...

...but then I realized you were quoting from the show.

I always liked Agent 69, er, 99.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. Yeah, it was a fun show. nt

[NorthCarolina]

11. Meh. US Citizens aren't exactly jumping for joy over being spied on either.

As a nation, we have become that which we have traditionally despised.

[BelgianMadCow]

12. true, but my thread about the Stop Watching Us demo

Sunk like a stone in gd.

[NorthCarolina]

25. This is DU, things critical of the status quo often 'sink' here. nt

[The Stranger]

16. What are they going to do about it?

Nothing. They can't do anything about it.

Show some righteous indignation and be quick about it.

All your base are belong to us.

[BelgianMadCow]

19. Three things in the works

1) A new EU privacy directive that would make it illegal for US providers to share user data with third party (governments) unless part of a treaty.
2) Reneging on the SWIFT-deal that allows the US to have insight in EU financial transactions (there was a vote, but a repeal needs 2/3, not likely, still a clear signal)
3) Braking on the TTIP "free trade" negotiations, which is what Merkel's future coalition partner is saying should happen.

That being said, that's all mainly lip service, and unless and untill hard & software alternatives are up and running, we're suckered.

As to showing righteous indignation: it will come from the Germans, like with ACTA, if at all.

[lovuian]

18. Merkel was a possible terrorist

so its ok and she knew she was being spied on just being sarcastic

but it shows how looking for terrorists gets abused and its looking for information trade secrets and inside financial scoop....is the real target

[brooklynite]

20. When the BND, DGSE and MI6 are disbanded, I'll join in the outrage...

Until then, I'll assume every nation does it.

[struggle4progress]

21. Exactly when did this allegedly occur?

[BelgianMadCow]

22. It's interesting that you asked me that question before

and didn't bother reading my reply, I take it? I spent time researching it. Won't make that mistake again, as it would seem you're not after answers but after asking questions.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3914693

[struggle4progress]

23. Well, that was that thread, and this is this thread. It matters when the alleged event occurred

I'm sorry if you dislike the question, but it needs to be asked

[BelgianMadCow]

24. I didn't say I disliked the question. Not here, not there

or I wouldn't have replied. Quite the opposite actually.

I did my part. You carry on the research from there, okay?

[DontTreadOnMe]

26. OMG!!1!!! They are furious!!!!

Go get the gasoline so I can set my hair on fire!!!11!!!