New reports are confirming the close cooperation of the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) with the National Security Agency (NSA). According to these reports, BND agents have repeatedly visited the NSA headquarters at Fort Meade to discuss technical issues. The NSA has also furnished the BND instruments for analyzing intercepted data. A former head of the Austrian intelligence service has confirmed that it was a “common understanding among all European intelligence services” to be “aware” of the NSA Prism surveillance program. Already years ago, officials of the US military have been quoted saying that the US military espionage center that is being established in the Hessian capital Wiesbaden – and that will reportedly also be used by the NSA – is destined to gather information “on the current situation of friend and foe, and everything that can influence our mission.” The German government has also admitted that the Western block’s cooperation of the intelligence services – which includes abduction and torture of suspects in the so-called war on terror – dates back to secret agreements between the leading NATO powers during the post-WW II decades.
The BND at Fort Meade
Recent reports have confirmed the close cooperation between the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the National Security Agency (NSA). Last Thursday, the German TV magazine “Monitor” presented a document reporting on a working visit by leading personnel of the BND to NSA headquarters at Fort Meade in February 2010. For its cooperation with foreign intelligence services, the NSA has established a “Foreign Affairs Directorate” at its headquarters, to exchange intelligence information and organize the delivery of relevant equipment. A former NSA Technical Director confirmed to “Monitor” that he had witnessed “joint meetings and conferences” with BND officials, where “technical and other issues” were discussed.[1] According to a report in the German weekly “Der Spiegel,” NSA has also furnished the BND the instruments for analyzing the cross-border telecommunication passing through German lines. The BND is drawing on data passing through five internet hubs with particular focus on the connections to the Middle East. BND President Gerhard Schindler has confirmed the cooperation with NSA.[2]
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