Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on the US to clarify serious allegations on the NSA surveillance targeting German politicians and thus rebuild trust between the two allies.
“These are very serious allegations”, Merkel told deputies on Monday, during a special session of the German parliament. “Without doubt, following these allegations, transatlantic relations and negotiations for a transatlantic free trade agreement have been put into test,” she stressed. German Chancellor underlined that for Germany and Europe, relationship with the US has been "of paramount importance" and she called for clarification of the allegations.
Merkel’s remarks were her first public statement on the NSA affair. Last month, soon after the reports of secret US surveillance targeting her private phone since 2002, Merkel called Obama and demanded an explanation. German Chancellor refrained from delivering a public statement on the issue, rather disclosed her uneasiness through her spokesperson.
-Friedrich criticizes US silence
Germany’s Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich demanded more openness from the US. “Americans should clarify these allegations,” he told deputies at the parliament. “Remaining silent would mean confirming these allegations,” he stressed. German Interior Minister underlined that spying on German citizens and government members constitutes a crime and federal prosecutors would take necessary steps against those who took part in these suspected surveillance activities.
German opposition parties have demanded forming a special parliamentary committee to investigate the allegations. Thomas Opperman of Social Democratic Party (SPD) has suggested a “no-spy” agreement with the US and demanded assurances from the Washington administration to prevent such incidents to occur again.
Hans-Christian Stroebele, a Green Party member of the influential intelligence oversight committee of the parliament, said on Monday that German government should invite NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden to Germany in order to uncover truth behind suspected secret US surveillance. Opposition parties called for granting political asylum for Snowden.
Gregor Gysi, parliamentary group leader of the Left Party has praised Snowden for revelations on NSA’s secret surveillance activities. “Snowden should be nominated for Nobel prize,” Gysi told deputies at the Parliament. “He deserved it,” Gysi stressed.
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