Obama May Ban Spying On Allied Leaders

The Obama administration is considering whether to end spying on the leaders of American allies, amid a diplomatic crisis with European countries over the US snooping operations.

News reports said a final decision had not yet been made, but the move was under review.

The row over widespread spying by the National Security Agency has deepened in recent weeks with revelations that the communications of German Chancellor Angela Merkel had been monitored.

Claims that millions of emails, calls and other communications had been monitored in France, Spain and Italy - like Germany, all US allies - have prompted outrage.

France, Germany and Spain have summoned the US ambassadors in their countries, and Paris and Berlin are also seeking to hold talks with Washington by the end of the year to restore trust.

In a television interview, Barack Obama said that surveillance operations were being reassessed to make sure the NSA's growing technical capabilities would not mean overstepping boundaries.

The spying revelations have prompted protests in the US and abroad

"We give them policy direction," the president told Fusion, a new cable channel from ABC News and Univision.

"But what we've seen over the last several years is their capacities continue to develop and expand, and that's why I'm initiating now a review to make sure that what they're able to do, doesn't necessarily mean what they should be doing."

However, Mr Obama did not confirm the reports that Ms Merkel's cell phone had been tapped.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that "a total review of all intelligence programmes is necessary".

"Unless the United States is engaged in hostilities against a country or there is an emergency need for this type of surveillance, I do not believe the United States should be collecting phone calls or emails of friendly presidents and prime ministers," the senator said in a statement.

"The White House has informed me that collection on our allies will not continue."

Later today, top officials including NSA Director General Keith Alexander and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper will testify at an open hearing of the House Intelligence Committee.

Angela Merkel called Mr Obama to demand a clarification

The row exploded months ago when revelations by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden unveiled the scope of the US government's spying operations.

The US has charged Snowden, who has sought refuge in Russia, with crimes including espionage. To his supporters, the 30-year-old is a human rights champion.

Based on his most recent leaks, reports have said the NSA monitored 34 other foreign leaders in addition to Merkel.

European Union officials on a visit to Washington said US surveillance of their people could affect negotiations over a US-Europe trade agreement. They said European privacy must be better protected.

Meanwhile, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, the Republican who co-authored the US Patriot Act, has said he is preparing to unveil bipartisan legislation that would dramatically curtail the domestic surveillance powers it gives to intelligence agencies.

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