Edward Snowden Writes Letter To German Lawmakers, Offers Help With NSA Spying

Edward Snowden is expressing his wish to help Germany with the NSA spying scandal that recently revealed the US has been listening to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s private cell phone calls. Snowden has written a letter detailing his plans.

Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich says he wants to find a way to bring Snowden to Germany, so he can tell lawmakers what he knows of the US spying program which included tapping into Merkel’s calls.

The remarks come after opposition Germany official, Hans-Christian Stroebele visited the former NSA contractor, turned whistleblower, in Moscow where Snowden was granted temporary asylum by the Russian government.

Stroebele came back with a letter, allegedly written by Snowden, in which he offers his assistance, however, he puts certain conditions to his speaking with Germany.

Edward Snowden says he will not travel to Germany unless he is offered permanent asylum, since he will not be able to return to Russia once he leaves the country.

Friedrich told the newspaper Die Zeit, “We will find a way to make a conversation possible if Mr. Snowden is prepared to talk to German officials.”

Germany has demanded answers from the Obama administration after it became apparent that Merkel’s phone had been tapped by the NSA. The revelations were met with indignation throughout Europe, since Germany is considered to be an ally of the US.

It is worth noting Germany, along with many other European countries, denied Edward Snowden’s requests for asylum earlier this year.

Snowden faces espionage charges if he was to return to the United States.

Friedrich’s spokesman, Jens Teschke says Snowden would have to come to Germany first and then apply for asylum adding that the US and Germany have an extradition treaty, which could put pressure on the European country to return the leaker to the US to respond to the charges against him.

Germany’s Parliament is expected to debate the NSA’s alleged spying in a session on November 18 and it could decide to open an inquiry.

Russia granted asylum to Snowden, 30, in August, after he spent over a month stuck at the Moscow airport following his stay in Hong Kong.

The text of Edward Snowden’s letter to German lawmakers can be read below.