US seeks to allay tension over embassy 'spying'
Published: 9 Nov 10 07:07 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/30102/20101109/
The United States on Monday acknowledged its surveillance programme conducted at embassies in Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen, seeking to ease tensions after a Swedish prosecutor opened a probe into the legality of the practice.
- Sweden to probe US embassy surveillance (8 Nov 10)
- Swedish justice minister confirms US surveillance (6 Nov 10)
"We have acknowledged that we have a programme around the world where we are alert for people who may be surveilling our embassies because we recognize that they are potential targets of terrorism," he told reporters.
"We will be happy to answer any questions that any government has about the nature of the security measures to protect our embassies."
He spoke shortly after a top Swedish prosecutor announced he had opened a probe to determine whether the surveillance was illegal. Swedish Justice Minister Beatrice Ask earlier indicated the US embassy in Stockholm had secretly spied on Swedish residents in the capital since 2000.
Similar allegations surfaced in Oslo and Copenhagen last week, and in all three countries, national officials insisted they had not been informed of the surveillance activities, which extended to monitoring demonstrations and storing personal information about protesters.
If surveillance was carried out without authorization from the host countries, experts in the region insist it constitutes a violation of national laws.
But Crowley said "governments are fairly large, and there may be some instances where some agency of government has information and the other agency of government does not."
Norway's chief prosecutor has also asked police there to investigate the embassy's actions.
The US missions in Sweden and Norway have issued statements insisting their actions are part of common protection procedures.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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The only surprise about this story is how few people know what embassies, of all nationalities, including their own, actually do. I strongly advise you against trying to find out.
The SDU's are made up of local nationals and they report to the RSO. This is not a secret program, and it's run by subcontractors at certain embassies. Do you really think that local employees are given access to the identity of resident CIA personnel????
for the investigation to come out before jumping here and there for publicity as both countries enjoyed good and strong
relationship.
As it is illegal for Swedish government agencies to monitor Swedish citizens without due cause, it is certainly a breach of the law for any other country to engage in such acts.
The question still remains to be answered, what would be the reaction of the US authorities if another countries Embassy was carrying out surveillence on US citizens?
To say that it is OK would make spying legal: Lol
Just yesterday in US District Court (D.C.) the US government was criticized for targeted killings - government claims they require no judicial review:
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/11/08-4
Can Swedish leaders resist US bullying? Doubtful. No Swedish politicians or major media seek justice for US Southeast Asian transgressions (Vietnam War) or more recent illegal wars & torturing. Silence is collusion.
Agree 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000%!!!