WikiLeaks: U.S. wiretapped French presidents

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption WikiLeaks says U.S. spied on French presidents The United States has wiretapped the last three presidents of France, including current leader Francois Hollande as recently as 2012, according to WikiLeaks documents disclosed Tuesday.



The United States has wiretapped the last three presidents of France, including current leader Francois Hollande as recently as 2012, according to WikiLeaks documents disclosed Tuesday.

Documents said the United States eavesdropped on presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac as well as Hollande on issues that included the French positions on EuroZone economic policy, United Nations appointments, Middle East peace talks and the financial crisis of 2008.

National Security Council spokesman Ned Price declined to comment on the French reports, but said: "We are not targeting and will not target the communications of President Hollande ... We work closely with France on all matters of international concern, and the French are indispensable partners."

Price added: "We do not conduct any foreign intelligence surveillance activities unless there is a specific and validated national security purpose. This applies to ordinary citizens and world leaders alike."

Hollande was holding an emergency meeting with French security officials over the documents Wednesday.

The French newspaper Liberation and the investigative website Mediapart reprinted documents that go back to 2006, when George W. Bush served as president.

Previous disclosures of U.S. National Security Agency intelligence-gathering activities have triggered diplomatic rifts with other countries, including Germany and Brazil.

The most recent French document, from May of 2012, disclosed Hollande's concern that Greece might leave the European Union, and leave behind economic damage. "The French president seems worried that if word were to get out that Paris is seriously considering the possibility of a Greek exit, it would deepen the crisis," the document said.

The report also said that Hollande expressed disappointment over his talks with German Chancellor Merkel, and sought secret meetings with minority members of her governing coalition.

Hollande has said that he has discussed his concerns about NSA surveillance with President Obama.

A document from June 2011 cited an effort by Hollande's predecessor, Sarkozy, to "go forward with an initiative to restart direct Mideast peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians."

A report from 2008, during the Bush presidency, said Sarkozy "considers it his responsibility to Europe and the world to step up to the plate and resolve the world financial crisis." It added that the French president "blamed many of the current economic problems on mistakes made by the U.S. Government, but believes that Washington is now heeding some of his advice."

The oldest document, from 2006, details Chirac's efforts to secure a major U.N. appointment for an ally.

WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson told The Associated Press he is confident the documents are authentic.

Previous disclosures of U.S. intelligence-gathering activities have triggered diplomatic rifts with other countries, including Germany and Brazil.

After reports that the U.S. had tapped the cell phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel — according to documents leaked by ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden — Obama ordered a review of surveillance activities. Obama has reportedly ordered a halt to spying on the leaders of friendly countries (though not their aides).

A newly leaked document from 2010 reveals potential topics of discussion for a meeting between Sarkozy and Obama — including U.S. intelligence gathering.

The report said Sarkozy "will express his frustration that Washington has backed away from its proposed bilateral intelligence cooperation agreement and Sarkozy intends to continue to push for closure. As (French officials) understand it, the main sticking point is the U.S. desire to continue spying on France."