Edward Snowden’s disclosure of NSA spying on German Chancellor Angela Merkel triggered a furious reaction and strained relations between Berlin and Washington.
In a call Wednesday, President Barack Obama invited Merkel to Washington, apparently to mend ties between the two historic allies.
Th president reportedly offered the invitation when he called Merkel to wish her a speedy recovery from a recent skiing injury. According to Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert, she has accepted the invitation.
Snowden’s revelations, one of the most damaging leaks in US surveillance history, strained relationship between the two nations.
The leaks revealed that the US government spied on several European leaders in addition to Merkel.
“Merkel has previously said the relationship between Germany and the US was put on test by allegations of massive spying by NSA, including on foreign leaders,” the Washington Post reported.
Furious over the NSA fiasco, Merkel even called President Obama over the charges, and opined that the US must change its surveillance policies. During the conversation, Merkel sought personal assurances from Obama that she was not being monitored.
The United States denied currently listening to Merkel’s phone calls, but hasn’t ruled out that this happened in the past. According to The Guardian, Washington never denied the allegations about the chancellor’s phone being tapped by NSA.
The damage control measure by the US is reportedly prompted by the negotiations for a proposed free trade deal between the US and the EU, and a NATO summit that will be held on September in the UK.
Besides creating widespread concern in Europe and several other countries, the NSA activities also triggered criticisms in the US.
While there haven’t been any visible changes in the NSA functioning, US citizens reportedly want Obama to respect the increasing public sentiment against NSA’s unbridled powers over data collection.
“Obama is reportedly considering changes to the rules on surveillance of foreign leaders as part of a package of NSA reforms,” the USA Today reported.
Meanwhile, domestic support for the former NSA contractor who is enjoying temporary asylum in Russia is on the rise. Reportedly ta Pardon Edward Snowden petition has received an overwhelming number of signatures.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is primarily campaigning for Snowden’s clemency.
Recently, the increasing support has also “softened the stance of high-ranks officials in the NSA and even President Obama seems to be taking a cautious step over the Snowden issue,” according to reports.