spying on European leaders serious unacceptable warns French President

Paris/Washington/Copenhagen – French President Emmanuel Macron warned that espionage carried out by the United States and Denmark on European leaders is a severe and unacceptable matter. Germany, Norway, and Sweden have also upheld President Macron’s statements and have demanded a thorough inquiry. US National Security Agency (NSA) and Danish intelligence agency Defence Intelligence Services had jointly carried out espionage on the leaders from Germany, Norway, France and Sweden. The government radio and television channel, Danish Broadcasting Corporation of Denmark, published a report on this matter.

Before this, in 2013, Edward Snowden, a computer expert working for the NSA, had created a sensation by publishing the confidential documents relating to surveillance and espionage carried out by the US agencies worldwide. As per the report published by the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, NSA carried out this espionage activity jointly with the Defence Intelligence Service of Denmark. These activities were carried out during the period 2012 to 2014 under the mission ‘Operation Dunhammer’. Phones of top leaders from France, Norway and Sweden, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, had been tapped during the operation. The US agencies were monitoring even the mobile messages of these leaders.

It has been exposed that the US and Danish agencies used the Undersea Cable Network for this espionage. Furthermore, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation informed that the US agencies had developed a software named ‘XKeyscore’ for this purpose. Neither the NSA nor the Danish Defence Intelligence Service has given any reaction regarding this. But the Danish Defence Minister has stated that espionage on the leaders of allied countries is not acceptable.

Strong reactions have emanated from the European countries over this matter of surveillance by the US and Denmark. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed regret saying, ‘Such an activity between the allies and partner countries in Europe will never be acceptable. This is a grave matter.’

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has supported the statements of President Macron and demanded a thorough inquiry. The Defence Ministers of Sweden and Norway also have supported the demand for an investigation. But the Russian foreign ministry has reacted that the expose in Denmark is just the tip of an iceberg.

US President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Europe this month. Analysts believe that the repercussions of this report published just before the visit will be felt during President Biden’s visit.