“We have indications that the mobile phone of the Chancellor has been tapped and we are investigating it. We demanded information from the US ambassador,” Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich told Bild newspaper on Friday. “One thing is clear. Phone-tapping among partners is a breach of trust and it constitutes a massive violation of the sovereignty of our country.”
Germany’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported on Thursday that the German authorities suspect that US embassy in Berlin has been involved in secret surveillance of Merkel’s phone under a highly classified Special Collection Service (SCS) program.
A recent investigative report by Spiegel magazine on the files revealed by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden have led to the suspicion that the US National Security Agency (NSA) has also tapped Chancellor Merkel’s mobile phone.
A recent examination by the German secret service BND and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has supported suspicions that secret surveillance targeted Merkel’s private mobile phone. According to press reports, German authorities believe the possible surveillance operation had been controlled by a team at the US embassy in Berlin.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle summoned the US ambassador on Thursday and demanded an immediate clarification and comprehensive investigation. “For us, spying on close friends and partners is totally unacceptable,” he said. “We need the truth now.”
According to German press, the mobile phone which is believed to be tapped by the NSA had been used by Chancellor Angela Merkel from October 2009 to June this year. She often used this phone for her communications with party officials, and the bill had been paid by the party. For her government work and official communications, Merkel is using a secure encrypted mobile phone, government sources told the press.
Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich told Bild newspaper that they were investigating why Germany’s domestic intelligence organization failed to reveal the possible surveillance of Merkel’s private mobile phone. “In general, our special phones for government work have a very high standard,” he stressed, praising the work of the Federal Office for Information Security and domestic intelligence. But he also underlined the need for further improvement.
“It is clear that we should fight against espionage in a stronger way,” German Interior Minister said. “And the US should be aware of the fact that our citizens do not accept to be spied on. When things occur like that, then it gives big damage to the image of the US,” he stressed. “I expect an apology from the United States."
A high level German delegation is set to visit Washington next week to discuss the reports of secret NSA surveillance in Germany. Berlin demands a comprehensive investigation and an immediate stop to such operations.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
