In the wake of American analyst, Edward Snowden, revealing government secrets and fleeing the country comes the news that the National Security Agency (NSA) reportedly was keeping tabs on the European Union, including Greece, an ally of the U.S.
With Snowden in Russia, and President Vladimir Putin playing a game of nerves with the U.S. over American demands the analyst be returned to stand trial, Der Spiegel said that one billion phone connections, e-mails and mobile messages are monitored every month in Germany by the American security service NSA.
According to The Guardian, Greece is also included in the countries being closely watched. According to information in documents disclosed by Snowden, the Greek Embassy in Washington and the Greek mission at the UN were among the 38 diplomatic missions spied. Among the countries spied on also France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, India and Turkey.
The revelations have caused anger in Europe. The President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz said that if the report was correct, it would have a “severe impact” on relations between the EU and the United States. He also wrote in an emailed statement: “On behalf of the European Parliament, I demand full clarification and require further information speedily from the U.S. authorities with regard to these allegations”.
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn told Der Spiegel: “If these reports are true, it’s disgusting.” He also added: “The United States would be better off monitoring its secret services rather than its allies. We must get a guarantee from the very highest level now that this stops immediately.”
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