This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/world/europe/spain-calls-in-us-ambassador-in-spying-scandal.html

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Spain Summons U.S. Ambassador in Spying Scandal Spain Summons American Ambassador on New Reports of N.S.A. Spying
(about 7 hours later)
MADRID — The Spanish government summoned the American ambassador on Monday to address allegations that the National Security Agency collected data on millions of telephone calls in Spain. MADRID — The Spanish government on Monday summoned the American ambassador to address allegations that the National Security Agency had recently collected data on 60 million telephone calls in Spain.
Adding to a spying scandal that includes France, Germany, Brazil and Mexico, two Spanish newspapers reported Monday that the agency collected data on 60 million telephone calls. Adding to a spying scandal that includes Brazil, France, Germany and Mexico, the government’s move came after two Spanish newspapers reported Monday that the agency had gathered data on phone numbers and locations but had not monitored the contents of the calls.
Following his meeting with Spanish officials, the ambassador, James Costos, issued a statement in which he acknowledged Spain’s worries about the surveillance programs and said, “Ultimately, the United States needs to balance the important role that these programs play in protecting our national security and protecting the security of our allies with legitimate privacy concerns.” After his meeting with Spanish officials, the ambassador, James Costos, issued a statement in which he acknowledged Spain’s worries about the surveillance programs and said, “Ultimately, the United States needs to balance the important role that these programs play in protecting our national security and protecting the security of our allies with legitimate privacy concerns.”
In his statement, Mr. Costos did not discuss the details of the spying claims, nor did the Spanish government do so following the meeting, which lasted less than an hour. Instead, Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, a Spanish secretary of state, referred in a separate statement to the need to maintain “a necessary balance” between security and privacy concerns. Spain, he added, is calling on Washington to clarify “the reach of measures that, if proven to be true, are improper and unacceptable between partners and friendly countries.” Mr. Costos did not discuss the details of the spying claims, nor did the Spanish government after the meeting, which lasted less than an hour. Instead, Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, a Spanish secretary of state, referred in a separate statement to the need to maintain “a necessary balance” between security and privacy concerns. Spain, he added, is calling on Washington to clarify “the reach of measures that, if proven to be true, are improper and unacceptable between partners and friendly countries.”
Adding to a spying scandal that includes France, Germany and Mexico, the Spanish news media reported Monday that the agency recently collected data on 60 million telephone calls in Spain. El Mundo and El País, two Spanish newspapers, based their reporting on documents viewed by Glenn Greenwald, an American journalist, that were provided by Edward J. Snowden, the former N.S.A. contractor who has been at the center of the spying scandal. The two Spanish newspapers, El Mundo and El País, based their reporting on documents viewed by Glenn Greenwald, an American journalist, that were provided by Edward J. Snowden, the former N.S.A. contractor who has been at the center of the spying scandal.
According to the Spanish newspapers, the N.S.A. gathered data on phone numbers and locations but did not monitor the contents of the calls. The data covered information relating to about 60 million Spanish phone calls and was collected between December and early January. The newspapers said the data covered information relating to about 60 million Spanish phone calls and was collected between December and early January.
The scandal, which has strained relations between Washington and some of its most important allies, has recently focused on whether the N.S.A. targeted the cellphone of the German chancellor, Angela Merkel. The Spanish government has so far declined to discuss whether it had evidence that Washington had spied on Spanish government officials. The spying scandal, which has strained relations between Washington and some of its most important allies, has recently focused on whether the N.S.A. targeted the cellphone of the German chancellor, Angela Merkel. The Spanish government has so far declined to discuss whether it has evidence that Washington spied on Spanish government officials.
“Spying activities aren’t proper among partner countries and allies,” Mariano Rajoy, Spain’s prime minister, said at a news conference last week in Brussels, where he was attending a meeting of European Union leaders.“Spying activities aren’t proper among partner countries and allies,” Mariano Rajoy, Spain’s prime minister, said at a news conference last week in Brussels, where he was attending a meeting of European Union leaders.
Last year, Spain agreed to extend an American lease of military facilities on its territory, including the Rota naval base, where the United States is planning to station Aegis antimissile vessels as part of the European defense shield of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Last year, Spain agreed to extend an American lease of military facilities on its territory, including the Rota naval base, where the United States is planning to station Aegis antimissile vessels as part of the European defense shield of NATO.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: October 28, 2013Correction: October 28, 2013

Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this article and photo misspelled the surname of the American ambassador. He is James Costos, not James Costo.

Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this article and photo misspelled the surname of the American ambassador. He is James Costos, not James Costo.