Germany vows tougher control of spy agency after new revelations

[Blue_Tires]

Source: Thomson-Reuters

Germany's justice minister has called for tighter control of the national foreign intelligence agency, after media reported its spies had targeted the embassies of allied countries without the government's express permission. Heiko Maas told the Rheinische Post newspaper in an interview to be published on Friday that a fundamental reform of the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) was needed.

"Parliament must get all the necessary means for an effective control of the intelligence services," he added.

The media reports were the latest in a controversy over German intelligence that has erupted since former NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed in 2013 a widespread U.S. surveillance program that included tapping Chancellor Angela Merkel's cellphone.

Germany's foreign intelligence agency is already under scrutiny after revelations earlier this year that its officials indirectly helped the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) spy on European firms such as defense manufacturer Airbus.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/15/us-germany-spying-idUSKCN0S91O920151015?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&rpc=69

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How on Earth is this possible? For two years, DU has repeatedly told me in a near-unanimous voice that the United States is the only country in recorded history to ever spy on her allies...

[randys1]

1. Showtime show called HOMELAND is going with this storyline, in an interesting way.

But you are wrong, sorry.

Only Obama and no other leader or human being, has spied.
Only Obama and no other leader or human being, has farted.

etc

etc

etc

[Nitram]

2. What a farce!

Every one knows that every one does it. Germany acted all huffy and self-righteous about the U.S. spying on Merkel and we promised to try to not get caught at it again. Now they have to pretend they are horrified that their own spies are doing the same thing. Ho hum.

[Blue_Tires]

3. More info: Germany's intelligence community allegedly spied on friendly states

http://www.dw.com/en/germanys-intelligence-community-allegedly-spied-on-friendly-states/a-18784078?maca=en-TWITTER-EN-2004-xml-mrss

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

4. They ALL spy on each other. That's been known forever.

[Bradical79]

5. I don't believe you

How on Earth is this possible? For two years, DU has repeatedly told me in a near-unanimous voice that the United States is the only country in recorded history to ever spy on her allies...

Lol, no they didn't.

[Blue_Tires]

6. They damn well did...

Not that you would have noticed...

Search the archives and get back to me -- The threads on Merkel's cellphone would be a good place to start