NSA: Canada Let US Spy On World Summits ift.tt/1caGbMV Canada - TopicsExpress

NSA: Canada Let US Spy On World Summits ift.tt/1caGbMV Canada allowed Americas National Security Agency (NSA) to spy during the G8 and G20 summits in Ontario in 2010, say reports. The US allegedly turned its Ottawa embassy into a security command post during a six-day spying operation as President Barack Obama and other world leaders met that June. The claim was made in a Canadian Broadcasting Corp report that cited documents from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. It is the latest potential embarrassment for the top secret spy agency as a result of Snowdens leaks. He has already revealed the NSA spied on close allies such as Germany and Brazil, sparking diplomatic spats with Washington. Canadian PM Stephen Harper declined to comment on the report The CBC report said Americas spying operation was no secret to Canadian authorities. It said an NSA briefing note described the operation as closely co-ordinated with the Canadian partner. It did not reveal the precise targets of the NSA operation, but described part of the agencys mandate at the G20 summit in Toronto as providing support to policymakers. A spokesman for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper declined to comment on the report. We do not comment on operational matters related to national security. Our security organisations have independent oversight mechanisms to ensure that they fulfill their mandate in accordance with the law, he said. A spokeswoman for Canadas equivalent of the NSA, the Communications Security Establishment Canada, said they could not comment on the operations of Canada or its allies. Under the law, CSEC does not target Canadians anywhere or any person in Canada through its foreign intelligence activities, she said. Edward Snowden has taken refuge in Russia CSEC cannot ask our international partners to act in a way that circumvents Canadian laws. Canadian civil liberties group OpenMedia.ca said it was clear this spying was aimed at supporting US policy goals during a highly contentious summit. It added: This is sure to cause huge damage to Canadas relationships with our other G20 partners. Last month, Brazil demanded an explanation about media reports which said CSEC agents had targeted its mines and energy industry. CSEC is part of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network that also includes the US, Britain, New Zealand and Australia. Related Stories Leaks: Case Growing For Spy Probe Snowden Leaks: Guardian Editor To Give Evidence Snowden Leaks: NSA Swept French Phone Records