US spy chief defends spying on foreign leaders Thu, 31 Oct WASHINGTON: The head of US intelligence said Tuesday the countrys spy agencies have always tried to learn the intentions of foreign leaders, but stopped short of confirming reports of eavesdropping on German Chancellor Angela Merkel. James Clapper, director of national intelligence, said seeking to discern the aims of foreign heads of state has long been a basic tenet for US spy agencies. As long as Ive been in the intelligence business, 50 years, leadership intentions in whatever form thats expressed is kind of a basic tenet of what we are to collect and analyze, Clapper told the House Intelligence Committee. Its invaluable to us to know where countries are coming from, what their policies are, how that would impact us across a whole range of issues, Clapper said. So, and it isnt just leaders themselves, its what goes on around them and the policies that they convey to their governments. According to media leaks from former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency has listened in on the communications of dozens of foreign leaders, including Merkel. The revelation has created an uproar in Germany and across Europe amid conflicting reports as to when President Barack Obama allegedly learned or approved of the eavesdropping. Clapper was asked by the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Mike Rogers, why US spy services tried to track the intentions of foreign leaders. But the lawmaker did not refer to reports the National Security Agency was listening in on Germanys chancellor as well as other leaders from other friendly states. Meanwhile, A German delegation of intelligence officials is in Washington for talks at the White House on Wednesday following claims that the US monitored Chancellor Angela Merkels mobile phone. The chancellors foreign policy adviser and Germanys intelligence co-ordinator will hold talks at the White House. Next week, the heads of the actual spying agencies go to meet their opposite numbers in Washington. -AFP
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 03:30:50 +0000
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