The US National Security Agency (NSA) has shocked European officials after it was learned from an NSA report that the United States may have spied on European Union offices.
While the report has not yet been confirmed or denied by the NSA, officials in the country warn that it would mean massive repercussions if true.
According to European Parliament President Martin Schulz:
“I am deeply worried and shocked about the allegations. If the allegations prove to be true, it would be an extremely serious matter which will have a severe impact on EU-US relations. On behalf of the European Parliament, I demand full clarification and require further information speedily from the U.S. authorities with regard to these allegations.”
German Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger said, “if the accusations were true it was reminiscent of the Cold War.”
The report by the German newspaper Der Spiegel reports that “the U.S. placed bugs in the EU representation in Washington and infiltrated its computer network. Cyberattacks were also perpetrated against Brussels in New York and Washington.”
Information about the NSA Spying came directly from documents believed to have been obtained by Edward Snowden. The newspaper says it has only “seen in part” the “top secret” 2012 document. The NSA spying report allegedly claims that officials in the US were spying on diplomatic representatives in Washington DC.
When asked about the report House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes would “not comment on unauthorized disclosures of intelligence programs. The intelligence community would be the most appropriate to do that.”
Officials from the European Union say they have reached out to representatives in the United States.
In the meantime Edward Snowden is currently seeking asylum in Ecuador, a decision that has led US Vice President Joe Biden to ask Ecuadorian officials “to please reject” the asylum request.
Snowden is currently residing in Russia and officials in the country have urged the Russian government to refuse his extradition to the United States.