WASHINGTON (AA) – US President Barack Obama denied claims Wednesday that the National Security Agency is monitoring the cell phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Per a readout of the President’s call with the German Chancellor provided by the White House, “President Obama and Chancellor Merkel spoke by telephone regarding allegations that the U.S. National Security Agency intercepted the communications of the German Chancellor. The President assured the Chancellor that the United States is not monitoring and will not monitor the communications of Chancellor Merkel.”
The German weekly, Der Spiegel, said its research into the matter prompted the German government to confront Washington.
The White House’s readout of the call further emphasized the government’s on-going review of its intelligence gathering guidelines, and reaffirmed the US’ commitment to its relationship with Berlin.
It added, “Both leaders agreed to intensify further the cooperation between our intelligence services with the goal of protecting the security of both countries and of our partners, as well as protecting the privacy of our citizens.”
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