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German Paper Says U.S. Kept Tabs on Leader German Paper Says U.S. Kept Tabs on Leader
(7 months later)
BERLIN — American intelligence services monitored former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder beginning in 2002 and perhaps earlier, a leading German newspaper reported on Tuesday. Mr. Schröder, a Social Democrat, openly opposed the Bush administration’s developing plans to go to war in Iraq. BERLIN — American intelligence services monitored former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder beginning in 2002 and perhaps earlier, a leading German newspaper reported on Tuesday. Mr. Schröder, a Social Democrat, openly opposed the Bush administration’s developing plans to go to war in Iraq.
The newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, said its information came from documents and from well-informed United States sources, both in government and in intelligence circles. One source, who like the others was not identified, was quoted as saying the monitoring began because “we had reason to assume that he was not contributing to the success of the alliance.”The newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, said its information came from documents and from well-informed United States sources, both in government and in intelligence circles. One source, who like the others was not identified, was quoted as saying the monitoring began because “we had reason to assume that he was not contributing to the success of the alliance.”
The report said Mr. Schröder appeared “at the latest in 2002” as No. 388 on the list of targets for monitoring.The report said Mr. Schröder appeared “at the latest in 2002” as No. 388 on the list of targets for monitoring.
The newspaper quoted Mr. Schröder, who was chancellor from 1998 to 2005, as reacting to the report in a short statement: “Back then, I would not have come to the idea of being monitored by the American intelligence services; now it no longer surprises me.”The newspaper quoted Mr. Schröder, who was chancellor from 1998 to 2005, as reacting to the report in a short statement: “Back then, I would not have come to the idea of being monitored by the American intelligence services; now it no longer surprises me.”
In an intriguing twist in the long-running revelations about the National Security Agency, the newspaper report cast doubt on whether the current chancellor, Angela Merkel, had been monitored since 2002, as first reported, or only after she became the head of government in 2005.In an intriguing twist in the long-running revelations about the National Security Agency, the newspaper report cast doubt on whether the current chancellor, Angela Merkel, had been monitored since 2002, as first reported, or only after she became the head of government in 2005.
Georg Mascolo, one of three prominent journalists who reported the Schröder article, said in a telephone interview that he could not give more details. But the new interpretation came from “a couple of sources,” he added.Georg Mascolo, one of three prominent journalists who reported the Schröder article, said in a telephone interview that he could not give more details. But the new interpretation came from “a couple of sources,” he added.
The idea of keeping tabs on the chancellor of Germany, one of America’s closest allies, has stirred outrage here. The “N.S.A. affair,” as it is known in Germany, first bubbled up last summer when Der Spiegel, referring to documents from Edward J. Snowden, the former N.S.A. contractor, reported that the agency had access to huge amounts of data from Germans and other non-Americans.The idea of keeping tabs on the chancellor of Germany, one of America’s closest allies, has stirred outrage here. The “N.S.A. affair,” as it is known in Germany, first bubbled up last summer when Der Spiegel, referring to documents from Edward J. Snowden, the former N.S.A. contractor, reported that the agency had access to huge amounts of data from Germans and other non-Americans.
Government surveillance is an especially delicate topic here because of the country’s Nazi and Communist pasts. Another furor erupted in October when Der Spiegel reported that Ms. Merkel’s cellphone had been monitored. President Obama hastened to promise her that she would not be under surveillance in the future. He has since announced overhauls of intelligence practices that among other things should prevent spying on most world leaders.Government surveillance is an especially delicate topic here because of the country’s Nazi and Communist pasts. Another furor erupted in October when Der Spiegel reported that Ms. Merkel’s cellphone had been monitored. President Obama hastened to promise her that she would not be under surveillance in the future. He has since announced overhauls of intelligence practices that among other things should prevent spying on most world leaders.