The German
government has advised that it will expel the top US spy in Germany. The move
comes in response to the discovery that two US agents were working under cover
in Germany's secret intelligence agency.
The head of
the German parliamentary board overseeing the secret services, Clemens
Binninger, announced on Thursday that the head of the CIA's Germany station
would be asked to leave. The decision is designed to demonstrate Germany's
anger at the discovery of two US spies in Germany's foreign intelligence
service, the BND.
The first
operative, who was working under cover in the German intelligence service, was
arrested a week ago. He admitted to passing over 200 documents to the CIA - the
United State's foreign intelligence agency - for 25,000 euros ($34,000). The
double agent worked for the BND for two years.
Federal
prosecutors said Wednesday that police raided properties in the Berlin area on
"initial suspicion of activity for an intelligence agency."
German
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday told the United States that trust was
crucial between the two allies.
"More
trust can mean more security," Merkel said.
"From
my point of view, spying on allies... is a waste of energy," she said.
She said
priorities should include dealing with challenges in Syria and fighting
terrorists and that confidence between allies should be strengthened.
crh/mh (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)
Related Articles:
US irritated by German response to spying scandal
Merkel describes latest allegations of US spying on Germany as "serious"
US irritated by German response to spying scandal
Merkel describes latest allegations of US spying on Germany as "serious"
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.