Germany expels Berlin CIA chief

Other reports on this are coming in, but this is the most coherent so far. Under the circumstances, I am surprised rt has managed to post this between the staff laughing their heads off.

http://rt.com/news/171828-germany-expel-cia-chief/

Germany expels CIA Berlin chief over NSA spying

Germany is expelling the CIA chief in Berlin in retaliation for the latest espionage scandal.

The expulsion comes shortly after two alleged US agents were unmasked, suspected of acting as double agents within the state security apparatus, and passing secrets to US intelligence contacts.

The move was “a reaction to persistent failure to work together in efforts towards clarification,” according to the chief of the Parliamentary Control Panel.

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Glenn Greenwald ✔ @ggreenwald
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Wonder if the @CIA Twitter account will have any quirky, playful tweets about this? https://twitter.com/alanbeattie/status/487224402812370944 … #Twitterversary
11:24 AM - 10 Jul 2014

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The two new cases, which came in quick succession of one another, increase the strain on already tense relations after the revelations made about the extent of global NSA espionage in June, 2013.

Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized the spy’s presence in Germany, stating that when common sense is switched on, “spying is ultimately a waste of force,” reported Der Spiegle.

She added that in 21st century intelligence work, there should be a strong focus on the essentials rather than that which is just technically possible. “So that one can’t see the wood because of all the trees,” Merkel said.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

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Seriously, has the US government lost its senses? Germany is an ALLY, and an essential one at that. If Washington keeps this up, they are in danger of being told to remove their troops and bases and go and spy on someone else.

http://news.sky.com/story/1298629/germany-expels-top-us-spy-amid-espionage-row

The German government has asked the top US intelligence official in Berlin to leave the country.

The move comes amid reports of two cases of suspected American espionage in Germany and a longer dispute over alleged NSA spying on the US ally.

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement: "The representative of the US intelligence services at the United States embassy has been asked to leave Germany.

"The request occurred against the backdrop of the ongoing investigation by federal prosecutors as well as the questions that were posed months ago about the activities of US intelligence agencies in Germany.

"The government takes the matter very seriously."

Shortly before the decision was announced, Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters that Germany and the US had different approaches to the role of intelligence agencies.

"I think that in these times, which can be very confusing, very much depends on trust between allies," she said.

Ties have been strained between the allies since reports emerged last year that the NSA had eavesdropped on Ms Merkel's mobile phone.

More follows...

Getting expelled from Germany has to be a new low.

Oh, things get low every day.......

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/10/opinion/gill-unwarranted-surveillance-muslim/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

The technology the government uses to surreptitiously monitor domestic and international communications didn't surprise me. What was shocking to me was that nothing in my background would lead anyone to believe that I have any terrorist leanings or want to cause harm to the United States.
I served my country in the U.S. Navy, worked as senior policy adviser in the Department of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush, was involved in my community and even ran for public office. There is not much more anyone can do to prove his or her complete loyalty to the United States.
NSA spying targets baffled by inclusion
What's clear now is that the reason for spying on me is my religion.


http://rt.com/usa/171864-cia-criminal-investigation-senate-spying/

The Department of Justice has officially ended its criminal probe concerning allegations of spying and document stealing involving the United States Senate and the Central Intelligence Agency.

On Thursday this week, a DOJ spokesperson confirmed to McClatchy that the Justice Dept. won’t pursue any further its investigation into whether Senate Intelligence Committee staffers took classified documents from a secure facility, nor a related probe concerning allegations that the CIA spied on those same congressional workers.

"The department carefully reviewed the matters referred to us and did not find sufficient evidence to warrant a criminal investigation," spokesman Peter Carr said in a statement sent to the news agency.

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Oh, what a surprise! Do the assorted agencies ever achieve anything with their endless spying?

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/07/10/federal-judge-orders-irs-to-explain-lost-lerner-emails-under-oath/

Federal judge orders IRS to explain lost Lerner emails ‘under oath’
Published July 10, 2014FoxNews.com
1.5K

A federal judge has ordered the IRS to explain "under oath" how the agency lost a trove of emails from the official at the heart of the Tea Party targeting scandal.

U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan gave the tax agency 30 days to file a declaration by an "appropriate official" to address the computer issues with ex-official Lois Lerner.

The decision came Thursday as part of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch, which along with GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill has questioned how the IRS lost the emails and, in some cases, had no apparent way to retrieve them.

The IRS first acknowledged it lost the emails in a letter to senators last month

The abuse of power, and the cover-ups, are appalling; Nixon was an angel in comparison.

The excuses have been something else. Information on hard drives could not be retrieved as they all crashed! Yes, right.

Nixon WAS an angel in comparison.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/10/politics/kerry-afghanistan-election/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

Kerry in Afghanistan to talk over election outcome, fraud claims

Oh, the irony of the Obama administration lecturing people about voter fraud.      

Obama was so popular, even the dead voted for him last time.     

When you think you've seen it all, along it comes.          

Eavesdropping on her phone? Good God. Why?

And not even very good at it, if they got caught

I am going to be deeply fascinated to watch the screechings from Obama over this:

http://rt.com/business/172020-russia-cuba-debt-writeoff/

Russia writes off 90% of Cuba's debt ahead of Putin's 'big tour' to L. America

Russia has written down $32 billion of Cuba’s Soviet era debt. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law ahead of his official visit to Latin America, with Havana as his first stop.

The agreement was first signed in October 2013 and draws a line under a twenty-year dispute.

Cuba is now required to pay back $3.2 billion over the next 10 years.

The first payment from Cuba is expected in October, and the money will be transferred to an account of the Russian lender Vnesheconombank opened at the National Bank of Cuba.

The agreement was signed into a law on Friday ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to Latin America, where Cuba comes the first.

Cash-strapped Cuba has been feverishly trying to restructure its debt to jump start its economy and attract investment. Three years ago it restructured $6 billion it owes to China, and in 2012 Japan forgave about $1.4 billion.

Mexico recently forgave $478 million of Cuban debt, and Havana agreed to pay back $146 million over 10 years.

Cuba’s total debt was officially estimated at $13.6 billion in 2012 which is described as “active”. Other debt collected prior to its default in 1980s is referred to as “passive”.

Cuba remains a strong ally of Russia, with trade between the two countries at about $200 million last year.

After the Soviet Union broke up Russia became the legal successor to Cuba’s loans. Cuba in turn rejected this, saying that the debt was in a currency that no longer existed, and was to a country that had vanished.



Putin’s 'big tour'
The next stop following Havana will be Buenos Aires. Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been very supportive of Moscow in its stand-off with the West, and regrets that trade with Russia hasn’t been better. The two leaders aim to increase the annual $1.8 billion turnover, but its energy deals where both hope to gain a lot. A fifth of Argentina's power is provided using Russian technology, and a new multibillion dollar nuclear power plant which is expected to be built by Russia’s state-owned energy firm Rosatom will certainly increase that.

Last, but certainly not least, is Brazil. Not only will Putin be lucky enough to witness the World Cup final from the stands - and go through a symbolic handover of the Mundial from Brazil to Russia - he has a lot to discuss with Dilma Rouseff.

Brazil is Russia's key trading partner in Latin America and the two leaders share a common view on US wiretapping scandals - President Rouseff was one of the world leaders whose phone was hacked by the NSA. So a joint information security project will be on the agenda.

Here Putin will also meet a dozen Latin America presidents in hope of striking new partnerships.

The tour will culminate with the BRICS summit, where the final bricks of a joint development bank will be laid. The new financial body that’ll focus on infrastructure projects will have a $100 billion budget, and could represent a solid attempt by developing economies to become less dependent on loans from such international organizations as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The BRICS countries are also expected to sign an additional $100 billion fund to steady the currency markets, a buffer that’ll provide for quick currency to compensate for massive capital outflows. Russia’s finance minister has already dubbed the body as a “mini –IMF.”

Russia will also propose to set up a BRICS energy association that will include a fuel reserve, as well as an institute for energy policy.

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Who can blame them?

Do you think Obama will even make any appropriate comments? I think he's that useless.

Lily, if Obama isn't keeping an eye on the economics of this, he's an even bigger fool that I thought.

How long is it now since the Bay of Pigs? And who is still standing?

Obama and co seem to think in terms of soundbites and tomorrow's headlines, while the grown-ups are thinking decades ahead.

The last thing that people need is an immature egotist to be in charge of the free world.   

Anyone told Obama what's happening in his backyard yet?

http://rt.com/news/172360-putin-argentina-visit-rt/

Putin: RT Spanish to be broadcast in Argentina 24/7
Published time: July 12, 2014 19:01
Edited time: July 12, 2014 20:16 Get short URL




RT Spanish will start broadcasting 24/7 in Argentina, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a stop in Buenos Aires as part of his Latin American tour. RT has become the first foreign channel that will broadcast alongside Argentinian state channels.

"We are grateful to the Argentinian side for the opportunity to broadcast RT TV channel,” Putin said at a media conference in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires in the framework of his Latin American tour.

"We will be developing cooperation in the sphere of information. This is the aim of the agreement on cooperation in the field of mass communications. It will help the leading news agencies of Russia and Argentina expand contacts and promptly exchange information,” the Russian president said following talks with Argentinian President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

For the first time in Argentina, RT Spanish will be available 24/7 via a separate “button” alongside state channels, said Putin.The agreement in the mass communications sphere comes into effect on Saturday.

Russian President met with his Argentine counterpart during his official tour of Latin America following his first stop at Cuba’s Havana.

Following the meeting, Kirchner stressed that the two countries share approaches to the policies of double standards espoused by certain forces in the international arena. Kirchner said she believes there should be “multi-sided, multipolar relations, as there is a need for countries of the world to drop double standards and to arrive at a solution that would be fair.”

Putin believes that Russian companies will take an active part in the modernizing of Argentinian electric power stations, as well as in building new power plants.

He added that Russia’s Inter RAO group is planning to help in the construction of Chihuido-1 hydropower plant on the Neuquen River – a project worth US$2 billion. Another Russian company – Silovye Mashiny (Power Machinery) – is supplying hydrogenerator equipment for the Punta Negra hydropwer plant, Putin said.

Rosatom corporation is also ready to participate in the construction of new blocs for Atucha nuclear power plant in Buenos Aires province, Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak said earlier.

More at link.

Obama's probably too busy playing pool and jumping queues to notice what's happening in South America.

Well, he does have his golf handicap to worry about too you know.

As for jumping the queue, he doesn't have all day to wait for someone. He's the most important person on the planet......  

lily wrote:Well, he does have his golf handicap to worry about too you know.

As for jumping the queue, he doesn't have all day to wait for someone.  He's the most important person on the planet......  

I have often wondered about this, Lily. Why do American Presidents think they are so important?

Personally, I think I am the most important person on the planet.

I guess because the US is seen as the most powerful country on the planet but, that seems to be changing I think? So the pres would be, by extension, the most powerful person. I think he is crossing the line between confusing himself and the position.

However, when the next one takes office then the former is no longer the most important one...so it's only fleeting.

Of course we all, as humans, consider ourselves the most important.

Something has gone very wrong since The Land of The Brave. Back a couple or so hundred years ago America must have been a wonderful place to be, with so much opportunity.

IMO, Obama no longer thinks like an elected politician, he thinks like a ruler. And his arrogance has been made worse by the US media giving him such an easy ride till now. As I've said before, if he had had to face a hostile House of Commons every week, like Cameron, he would have been torn to shreds long ago.

But it's not just him, look at his cronies - Kerry, Reid and co. And those stupid bimbos that represent the State Department now.

Psaki's the worst, but there's a blonde one as well, that resembles a particularly vacuous cheerleader. They're simply not up to the job - none of them are.

I would say that it still was until the recent collapse, Sabot. You would have to live here to understand and see for yourself.

US secret services have recruited more than a dozen officials in various German government ministries to work as spies, with some of them working for the CIA for many years, a German tabloid reported on Sunday.

Following previous espionage scandals in Germany, with several suspected US agents exposed in July, a report of more spies infiltrating German ministries was published by Bild am Sonntag, Germany's largest-selling national Sunday paper.

The alleged spies work within the country's defense, development, economic, and interior ministries, reported the paper, referring to unnamed sources in the US intelligence community.

Due to the current diplomacy tensions between Washington and Berlin, caused by espionage concerns, the spies are reportedly not meeting with their US handlers at the moment, according to Bild.

Several inquiries into the activities of American embassies in Prague and Warsaw have been initiated, as US intelligence agencies are reportedly considering basing their recruitment activities there.

More at:

http://rt.com/news/172460-cia-spies-germany-merkel-bild/

Meanwhile, Kerry is calling Germany and the US 'great friends'. Which with his track record, means only one thing - mind your back, Ms Merkel.   

Oh dear....



Fact @Fact
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A company deserves a red card after mistaking Barack Obama for England's Chris Smalling on a World Cup memento mug!

It sounds to me as though America's Secret Service, i.e. The CIA, etc. have gone barmy, probably due to paranoia.
Hoover was crackers, although wasn't he the head of The FBI?
But it seems to be all pervading. Look at what McCarthy did.

Anyhow, unless they can come up with threats to America they will all fast be out of a job, so I think they make them up as they go along, and then stir the pot.

I think they make them up as they go along, and then stir the pot.

IMO, that just about sums it up, there's always got to be some shadowy figure to be scared of, some new terror which can only be thwarted by spying on the entire world.

The fact that 9/11 could almost certainly have been halted if anyone had bothered to put available intelligence together doesn't seem to come into it. Nor does the fact that Russia warned the US about about the Boston bombers and was ignored, doubtless because they're 'commies' or something.

It's interesting to see what the late and unlamented Bin Laden had to say about the 'war on terror'; it went well beyond flying planes into buildings and killing thousands of innocent people. No, he wanted to drag the West, and the US in particular, down into an endless state of semi-war that would ultimately destroy America from within. This paranoia, the endless meddling, the latest Most Evil Man In The World, the loss of American's best young people, and the sheer cost - it's pretty much what Bin Laden HOPED would happen.

The West has lost the 'War on Terror', IMO - there are now 100 times more terrorists, and terror groups, then there were the day before 9/11.