This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-nsa-spied-on-two-french-finance-ministers-according-to-wikileaks-10354321.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The NSA spied on two French finance ministers, according to WikiLeaks The NSA spied on two French finance ministers, according to WikiLeaks
(6 months later)
Two French finance ministers were spied on by American security forces, according to a new report by Wikileaks.Two French finance ministers were spied on by American security forces, according to a new report by Wikileaks.
The website said that former minister François Baroin and Pierre Moscovici were both targeted by the National Security Agency while they were in post between 2011 and 2014.The website said that former minister François Baroin and Pierre Moscovici were both targeted by the National Security Agency while they were in post between 2011 and 2014.
The allegations were published by French newspaper Libération and website Mediapart just a week after WikiLeaks revealed the NSA had spied on three French presidents from at least 2006 to 2012.The allegations were published by French newspaper Libération and website Mediapart just a week after WikiLeaks revealed the NSA had spied on three French presidents from at least 2006 to 2012.
This lead the government to summon the US Ambassador to protest over their treatment by the spy agency.This lead the government to summon the US Ambassador to protest over their treatment by the spy agency.
WikiLeaks said in a document dating from 2002 and renewed in 2012 the NSA had asked its counterparts in Australia, the UK, Canada and New Zealand to collect information on its proposed French export contracts in sectors including telecoms, electricity, nuclear energy, transport and health.WikiLeaks said in a document dating from 2002 and renewed in 2012 the NSA had asked its counterparts in Australia, the UK, Canada and New Zealand to collect information on its proposed French export contracts in sectors including telecoms, electricity, nuclear energy, transport and health.
No specific companies were named in the documents.No specific companies were named in the documents.
Responding to the allegations on Twitter last week, Moscovici, who is now the EU's commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, said he would be shocked if the allegations were true.Responding to the allegations on Twitter last week, Moscovici, who is now the EU's commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, said he would be shocked if the allegations were true.
He said: “If I have been listened to by the NSA, I am profoundly shocked and demand an explanation from the American authorities. Unacceptable between allies and friends.”He said: “If I have been listened to by the NSA, I am profoundly shocked and demand an explanation from the American authorities. Unacceptable between allies and friends.”
Si j’ai été écouté par #NSA, je suis profondément choqué et demande explications aux autorités américaines.Inacceptable entre alliés et amis
A spokesman for the French foreign ministry declined to comment on Monday.A spokesman for the French foreign ministry declined to comment on Monday.
Although the NSA declined to comment on these latest allegations, US intelligence officials have denied they carry out surveillance for economic gain.Although the NSA declined to comment on these latest allegations, US intelligence officials have denied they carry out surveillance for economic gain.
In September 2013, the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said: “What we do not do, as we have said many times, is use our foreign intelligence capabilities to steal the trade secrets of foreign companies on behalf of - or give intelligence we collect to - US companies to enhance their international competitiveness or increase their bottom line."In September 2013, the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said: “What we do not do, as we have said many times, is use our foreign intelligence capabilities to steal the trade secrets of foreign companies on behalf of - or give intelligence we collect to - US companies to enhance their international competitiveness or increase their bottom line."
Additional reporting by ReutersAdditional reporting by Reuters