Status: May 31, 2021 8:26 PM
The involvement of Danish intelligence in the US spying on top European politicians has caused some resentment. French President Macron called the measure “unacceptable” – Chancellor Merkel followed suit.
After reports of Danish support for the eavesdropping of senior European politicians by the US intelligence service NSA, Germany and France are demanding a comprehensive clarification: “I would say that this is unacceptable among allies,” the visibly angry French President Emmanuel Macron said after a conversation with Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. One now expects “full openness and clarification of facts from our Danish and American partners.”
Merkel is also angry
Merkel said she could “only agree” with the French president’s criticism. Nothing has changed in the federal government’s stance toward the NSA events: “What was true then also applies today.” At the time, when the NSA case became known, Merkel found clear words and declared: “Spying on friends – it’s not possible.”
Merkel added, however, that she is “reassured” that the Danish government also clearly condemns the actions of its secret services. The chancellor said: “In this regard, I see a good basis from which, in addition to clarifying the facts, we can establish relations of trust.”
The Danish government had previously distanced itself from the practice of wiretapping. “The systematic eavesdropping on close allies is unacceptable,” said Danish Defense Minister Trane Bramsen. The Danish Military Intelligence Service declined to comment on the reports when asked.
The scandal began searching
Danish radio and German media such as EdAnd the WDR The newspaper “Süddeutsche Zeitung” reported over the weekend that the Danish foreign intelligence and military service, Forsfaritz Evertninggenst (FE), had enabled the US intelligence service to use a secret listening station near Copenhagen. In addition to Merkel, incumbent Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Social Democratic Party candidate for Chancellor Per Steinbrueck as well as top politicians from Sweden, Norway and France are said to have been wiretapped from there between 2012 and 2014.