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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| James Clapper: Reports US tapped French phones 'false' | James Clapper: Reports US tapped French phones 'false' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| US intelligence chief James Clapper has denied reports that US spies recorded data from 70 million phone calls in France in a single 30-day period. | |
| The director of national intelligence said the report in Le Monde newspaper contained "misleading information". | |
| In a separate story, the newspaper said the US bugged French diplomats and used the information to sway a key UN vote. | In a separate story, the newspaper said the US bugged French diplomats and used the information to sway a key UN vote. |
| Both reports were based on leaks from fugitive ex-US intelligence worker Edward Snowden. | Both reports were based on leaks from fugitive ex-US intelligence worker Edward Snowden. |
| "Recent articles published in the French newspaper Le Monde contain inaccurate and misleading information regarding US foreign intelligence activities," Mr Clapper said in a statement released on Tuesday. | "Recent articles published in the French newspaper Le Monde contain inaccurate and misleading information regarding US foreign intelligence activities," Mr Clapper said in a statement released on Tuesday. |
| "The allegation that the National Security Agency collected more than 70 million 'recordings of French citizens' telephone data' is false." | "The allegation that the National Security Agency collected more than 70 million 'recordings of French citizens' telephone data' is false." |
| Mr Clapper said he would not discuss details of surveillance activities, but acknowledged "the United States gathers intelligence of the type gathered by all nations". | Mr Clapper said he would not discuss details of surveillance activities, but acknowledged "the United States gathers intelligence of the type gathered by all nations". |
| Iran sanctions | Iran sanctions |
| His statement did not mention the second set of allegations about the National Security Agency (NSA) programmes that allegedly monitored French diplomats in Washington and at the UN. | His statement did not mention the second set of allegations about the National Security Agency (NSA) programmes that allegedly monitored French diplomats in Washington and at the UN. |
| The paper laid out how US spies used computer bugs and phone-tapping techniques to monitor French diplomats at the UN and in Washington. | |
| Those claims were first carried in the German magazine Der Spiegel and the Washington Post in early September. | Those claims were first carried in the German magazine Der Spiegel and the Washington Post in early September. |
| But Le Monde's story gives details of how the intelligence gathered from French diplomats was used. | But Le Monde's story gives details of how the intelligence gathered from French diplomats was used. |
| It quotes a document issued by a directorate of the NSA as stating that the data helped the US sway a Security Council vote on a resolution imposing new sanctions on Iran on 9 June 2010. | It quotes a document issued by a directorate of the NSA as stating that the data helped the US sway a Security Council vote on a resolution imposing new sanctions on Iran on 9 June 2010. |
| The US had apparently feared losing the vote, and needed French support. | The US had apparently feared losing the vote, and needed French support. |
| The document quotes America's former UN envoy Susan Rice as saying the NSA's information helped the US "keep one step ahead in the negotiations". | The document quotes America's former UN envoy Susan Rice as saying the NSA's information helped the US "keep one step ahead in the negotiations". |
| On Monday, Le Monde alleged that the NSA spied on 70.3 million phone calls in France between 10 December 2012 and 8 January 2013. | On Monday, Le Monde alleged that the NSA spied on 70.3 million phone calls in France between 10 December 2012 and 8 January 2013. |
| French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said he had asked for a full explanation of those claims from US Secretary of State John Kerry. | French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said he had asked for a full explanation of those claims from US Secretary of State John Kerry. |
| 'Unacceptable' | 'Unacceptable' |
| Mr Fabius told reporters he had reiterated the view of France that "this kind of spying conducted on a large scale by the Americans on its allies is something that is unacceptable". | Mr Fabius told reporters he had reiterated the view of France that "this kind of spying conducted on a large scale by the Americans on its allies is something that is unacceptable". |
| However, French officials played down the possibility of any reprisals. | However, French officials played down the possibility of any reprisals. |
| Government spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said: "We have to have a respectful relationship between partners, between allies. Our confidence in that has been hit but it is after all a very close, individual relationship that we have." | Government spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said: "We have to have a respectful relationship between partners, between allies. Our confidence in that has been hit but it is after all a very close, individual relationship that we have." |
| She was speaking before Le Monde's allegations about the UN vote were published. | She was speaking before Le Monde's allegations about the UN vote were published. |
| Information leaked by former NSA worker Edward Snowden has led to claims of systematic spying by the NSA and CIA on a global scale. | Information leaked by former NSA worker Edward Snowden has led to claims of systematic spying by the NSA and CIA on a global scale. |
| Targets included rivals like China and Russia, as well as allies like the EU and Brazil. | Targets included rivals like China and Russia, as well as allies like the EU and Brazil. |
| The NSA was also forced to admit it had captured email and phone data from millions of Americans. | The NSA was also forced to admit it had captured email and phone data from millions of Americans. |
| Mr Snowden, who went public with his allegations in June, is currently in Russia, where he was granted a year-long visa after making an asylum application. | Mr Snowden, who went public with his allegations in June, is currently in Russia, where he was granted a year-long visa after making an asylum application. |
| The US wants him extradited to face trial on criminal charges. | The US wants him extradited to face trial on criminal charges. |