- Aug 6, 2012
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A reminder, there are no allies in foreign governments. These are two close countries, both in the EU. 2000 targets.
‘Unacceptable’: Austria demands explanation for Germany spy reports on nearly 2,000 targets
VIENNA — Austria demanded clarification from neighbouring Germany on Saturday of reports that its spy agency snooped for several years on nearly 2,000 targets in the Alpine nation, including companies and ministries.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said “spying among friendly states is not just unusual and unwanted. It is unacceptable.” Austria and Germany are both members of the European Union.
He and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz were responding to reports in the Der Standard newspaper and the Profil magazine about a list of alleged targets in Austria of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, or BND, between 1999 and 2006. It reportedly included most major companies and banks in Austria, as well as phone numbers at the chancellery and various ministries in Vienna.
Kurz noted there were suspicions a few years ago of German intelligence activity in Austria and suggested that was partly responsible for German laws subsequently being tightened to prevent such activities.
‘Unacceptable’: Austria demands explanation for Germany spy reports on nearly 2,000 targets
VIENNA — Austria demanded clarification from neighbouring Germany on Saturday of reports that its spy agency snooped for several years on nearly 2,000 targets in the Alpine nation, including companies and ministries.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said “spying among friendly states is not just unusual and unwanted. It is unacceptable.” Austria and Germany are both members of the European Union.
He and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz were responding to reports in the Der Standard newspaper and the Profil magazine about a list of alleged targets in Austria of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, or BND, between 1999 and 2006. It reportedly included most major companies and banks in Austria, as well as phone numbers at the chancellery and various ministries in Vienna.
Kurz noted there were suspicions a few years ago of German intelligence activity in Austria and suggested that was partly responsible for German laws subsequently being tightened to prevent such activities.
