Embassy Espionage: The NSA's Secret Spy Hub in Berlin

[soundsgreat]

Source: Spiegel


According to SPIEGEL research, United States intelligence agencies have not only targeted Chancellor Angela Merkel's cell phone, but they have also used the American Embassy in Berlin as a listening station. The revelations now pose a serious threat to German-American relations.

It's a prime site, a diplomat's dream. Is there any better location for an embassy than Berlin's Pariser Platz? It's just a few paces from here to the Reichstag. When the American ambassador steps out the door, he looks directly onto the Brandenburg Gate.

When the United States moved into the massive embassy building in 2008, they threw a huge party. Over 4,500 guests were invited. Former President George H. W. Bush cut the red-white-and-blue ribbon. Chancellor Angela Merkel offered warm words for the occasion. Since then, when the US ambassador receives high-ranking visitors, they often take a stroll out to the roof terrace, which offers a breathtaking view of the Reichstag and Tiergarten park. Even the Chancellery can be glimpsed. This is the political heart of the republic, where billion-euro budgets are negotiated, laws are formulated and soldiers are sent to war. It's an ideal location for diplomats -- and for spies.

Research by SPIEGEL reporters in Berlin and Washington, talks with intelligence officials and the evaluation of internal documents of the US' National Security Agency and other information, most of which comes from the archive of former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, lead to the conclusion that the US diplomatic mission in the German capital has not merely been promoting German-American friendship. On the contrary, it is a nest of espionage. From the roof of the embassy, a special unit of the CIA and NSA can apparently monitor a large part of cell phone communication in the government quarter. And there is evidence that agents based at Pariser Platz recently targeted the cell phone that Merkel uses the most.



Read more: http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cover-story-how-nsa-spied-on-merkel-cell-phone-from-berlin-embassy-a-930205.html

[Hubert Flottz]

1. I'll bet W was checking her out in EVERY room.

Freakin' perverts!

[soundsgreat]

2. here's a thermal image of the embassy

The yellow area on the upper floor indicates surveillance devices, Spiegel journalists say.

[Hubert Flottz]

7. You could tell Bush was all hot to trot when...

he got all drunked up on that good German beer and went to groping around on Miz Marple there in old East Germany. W looked like he was about ready to put that silver tongue in her ear, when she tried to slap his jaws. I think he had his spooks to wire up every room in the house, so he could do some peeping at her credentials. Reminded me of the Old California/Austrian GroppenFuhrer Arnold Swarpenaggle in hot pursuit of his live in maids. W was in rut just like Arnold.

[geek tragedy]

3. Espionage in Berlin? Unheard of! nt

[stonecutter357]

4. i can't imagine way we would spy on germany!

[snappyturtle]

5. So glad we've got the upper hand on that most feared terrorist,

Angela Merkel!

Spying on allied leaders and the drone killings equally disgusts me.

[stillcool]

6. oh my God!...there are spies?

and they still bug embassies? That is so old school.