German chancellor says fight against terrorism is essential but methods used must be proportionate
Angela Merkel has responded angrily to claims of widespread US spying in Europe, calling it "an extremely serious incident", in her first personal comments on the allegations.
In an interview with the Guardian and five other European newspapers, Merkel argued that while the fight against terrorism was essential, the methods used needed to be proportionate.
"If these reports are confirmed in the course of our investigations, we will be looking at an extremely serious incident," she said. "Using bugs to listen in on friends in our embassies and EU representations is not on. The cold war is over. There is no doubt whatsoever that the fight against terrorism is essential, and it needs to harness intelligence about what happens online, but nor is there any doubt that things have to be kept proportionate. That is what guides Germany in talks with our partners."
The German chancellor grew up in communist East Germany, where citizens were the victims of widespread spying by the notorious state secret police, the Stasi. Its sophisticated espionage techniques in the days before the internet or mobile phones included bottling the scents of those suspected of being anti-regime.
Merkel acknowledged that foreign intelligence agents had helped thwart terrorist attacks on German soil. "Like most Germans, I am well aware that other countries' services have helped identify terrorist groups in Germany and prevent their attacks on a number of occasions. That said, the need to protect privacy also has to be respected alongside security interests. There has to be balance between the two."
She said Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BND, was working closely with its European counterparts to throw light on what was alleged to have taken place. "Our services and our ministries are working at all levels – at the European level too – to clear up what has happened, including the new issues that came to light at the weekend," she said.
European leaders have said the US spying row could delay ambitious free-trade talks between the world's two largest economic powers. Barack Obama has sought to defuse the row, saying US agencies are behaving in the same way as intelligence organisations everywhere.