British ambassador called to German foreign office

Germany on Tuesday asked the British ambassador to come to the foreign ministry to discuss a newspaper report that a covert spying station was operating in Berlin with hi-tech equipment mounted on the embassy roof.

Documents leaked by former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden show that Britain`s surveillance agency is operating a network of “electronic spy posts” from within a stone`s throw of the Bundestag and German chancellor's office, the Independent reported.

“At the instigation of Foreign Minister (Guido) Westerwelle, the British ambassador was asked to come for a talk at the foreign ministry,” a German statement said.

“The director of the European department asked for an explanation of current reports in British media and indicated that tapping communications from a diplomatic mission would be a violation of international law.”

The foreign ministry`s request for an explanation is a less serious diplomatic move than formally summoning the ambassador.

In London, a spokesman for British Prime Minister David Cameron said: “We don`t comment on intelligence questions. It`s my understanding that he was invited. It's the British ambassador`s job to talk to the German government and I`ll let him do that. The prime minister has not spoken to Merkel. We have an excellent relationship with the German government and I think that will continue.”

State surveillance is an especially sensitive subject in Germany, a country haunted by memories of eavesdropping by the Stasi secret police in the former communist East.

Allegations of British surveillance surfaced just weeks after reports the United States` espionage agency tapped Merkel`s phone, prompting a furious response from Germany and a flurry of diplomatic and political activity, as Berlin pushes for a no-spying deal with Washington in order to restore trust.


/AzerTAg/