Italy’s foreign ministry summoned U.S. Ambassador John Phillips on Tuesday after WikiLeaks released top-secret documents showing how Washington had spied on the Italian prime minister.
Foreign Minister Michele Valensise asked for “clarifications” about U.S. surveillance, the Italian ministry said in a statement.
The Italian government also alluded to changes that the Obama administration made in 2014, on the heels of damaging leaks from Edward Snowden, to prohibit personal spying on friendly foreign leaders.
In response, the American ambassador promised to “immediately” address Italy’s concerns, the foreign ministry claimed.
The WikiLeaks documents, which date back to 2010 and 2011, show that the National Security Agency (NSA) secretly monitored communications of top Italian officials.
Foreign Minister Michele Valensise asked for “clarifications” about U.S. surveillance, the Italian ministry said in a statement.
The Italian government also alluded to changes that the Obama administration made in 2014, on the heels of damaging leaks from Edward Snowden, to prohibit personal spying on friendly foreign leaders.
In response, the American ambassador promised to “immediately” address Italy’s concerns, the foreign ministry claimed.
The WikiLeaks documents, which date back to 2010 and 2011, show that the National Security Agency (NSA) secretly monitored communications of top Italian officials.
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