State Department confirms dialogue with Brazil on the alleged intelligence activity

Tuesday, July 9th 2013 - 06:23 UTC

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Psaki, “as a matter of policy the US does gather foreign intelligence”

The US State Department spokesperson during the daily briefing declined to comment on the alleged intelligence activity in Brazil but admitted dialogue with the Brazilians through normal diplomatic channels, but those conversations ‘of course we would keep private’.

“As a matter of policy, we have been clear that the United States does gather foreign intelligence of the type gathered by all nations. I can tell you that we have spoken with Brazilian officials regarding these allegations,” said spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

Asked about the reaction of Brazilian officials to the allegations, among them Foreign minister Antonio Patriota and given the official visit in coming months of President Dilma Roussseff to the US, Ms Psaki said that “we work with Brazil on a wide range of issues and we are hopeful that we can continue to discuss and resolve through normal diplomatic conversations”.

Ms Psaki admitted she was not aware who the officials speaking to Brazil were or if Secretary of State John Kerry had talked to Foreign minister Antonio Patriota. Nevertheless she insisted “we’re in close contact and we’ll continue those conversations”.

Categories: Politics, Brazil, United States.

Tags: Antonio Patriota, Brazil, Edward Snowden, Jen Psaki, United States.

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ChrisR
You can just imagine the conversation: NO, you cannot see what we have collected on your opposition parties OR what we have on the government OR what we are doing in your country AND while we are at it why can't you gag the idiot Patriota? Are we all done here now, good!
Jul 09th, 2013 - 12:11 pm 0
Hepatia
Given the US's unfortunate history regarding Brazil this issue needs to be pushed hard.
Jul 09th, 2013 - 12:24 pm 0
GeoffWard2
There is a huge volume of gathered intelligence on Brasil. Much of it finds its way into diplomatic briefings that the Ambassador etc send to the White House.
Wikileaks has published years of these reports and they have been in the public domain for some time.
There is also, of course, straightforward espionage. Embraer must get most frustrated that their bids for contracts are known before they bid them.
Jul 09th, 2013 - 01:06 pm 0

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