Europe demands answers after US-Danish spying claims
- Reports say the US National Security Agency eavesdropped on top politicians, including Angela Merkel, using Danish underwater cables from 2012 to 2014
- France’s Macron joins German chancellor in seeking an explanation, saying such actions are ‘not acceptable’ between US and European allies and partners
France, Germany and other European countries demanded answers on Monday following reports the US spied on its allies using Danish underwater cables, as questions mounted over whether Denmark knew about the operation.
In an investigative report on Sunday, Danish public broadcaster Danmarks Radio (DR) and other European media outlets said the US National Security Agency (NSA) had eavesdropped on Danish underwater internet cables from 2012 to 2014 to spy on top politicians in France, Germany, Norway and Sweden.
The NSA got access to text messages, telephone calls and internet traffic including searches, chats and messaging services – including those of Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, then Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and then opposition leader Peer Steinbruck, DR said.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday they expected explanations from both Washington and Copenhagen.
“This is not acceptable between allies, and even less between allies and European partners,” said Macron after the two leaders talked via video conference.