Germany expels CIA station chief

The United States has remained tight-lipped about a spying row in Germany that's resulted in its intelligence station chief in Berlin being expelled.

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It comes as the German chancellor Angela Merkel called for more trust between the two countries.

In a stunning show of discord between allies, Germany has expelled the CIA station chief in Berlin.

The German government says the demand is based on two formal investigations by German federal prosecutors of suspected spying for the United States.

Germany claims there are outstanding questions about the activities of the US secret services in Germany.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki says any comment on any reported intelligence acts would put US assets, personnel and national security at risk.

"I would expect that Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Steinmeier will have an opportunity to speak sometime in the coming days. And I would just reiterate that our relationship with Germany is extremely important. We have many areas we work together on. We have areas certainly where we may disagree, but the sign of a strong relationship is being able to work through those disagreements or challenges, and we'll continue to do that through proper channels."

Germany's move has elevated the spying row to a political and diplomatic confrontation between the US and arguably Europe's most influential power.

Tensions started shortly after it emerged that the US National Security Agency had been monitoring Ms Merkel's phonecalls.

Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who remains a fugitive in Russia, revealed the scale of the surveillance.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says there needs to be more trust between allies.

"But if what we hear right now is true, I have to say that, from my point of view, spying on allies is a waste of energy in the end. We have so many problems, and I think we should focus on the important things. Just look at the challenges posed in Syria regarding ISIS. If you look at the fight against terrorism, there are huge problems. That is of the highest priority from my point of view and not spying among allies."

Both nations have been working together to confront global crises, including the showdown with Russia over Ukraine.

But Washington has declined to agree to a no spy deal with Germany, similar to those it has with allies in Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Germany's Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen says it's the right time for the US to clarify the spying allegations.

"Our good cooperation and the exchange of information among our services made it possible to successfully prevent attack plots and helped saving lives. But we need sincere relations and so it is bitter to see this confidence moldering. I think the government has set the right example today and showed that it will not tolerate such a breach of confidence and that we need a reset."


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3 min read

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By Hannah Sinclair


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