German spy chiefs to head to US for talks

German spy chiefs will travel to Washington shortly to talk with US officials about the spying allegations that have so angered Europe, including whether Chancellor Angela Merkel's cellphone was monitored by the National Security Agency.
The heads of Germany's foreign and domestic intelligence agencies will participate in the talks with the White House and the NSA, German government spokesman Georg Streiter announced today.
Streiter did not give a specific date for the trip, saying it was being arranged on "relatively short notice." He said the exact composition of the team was still being determined.
European Union leaders, meeting today at a summit in Brussels, vowed to maintain a strong trans-Atlantic partnership despite their anger over allegations of widespread US spying on allies.

Still, France and Germany are insisting the United States agree upon new surveillance rules with them this year to stop US eavesdropping on their leaders, innocent civilians and companies.
"We are seeking a basis for cooperation between our (intelligence) services, which we all need and from which we have all received a great deal of information ... That is transparent, that is clear and is in keeping with the character of being partners," Merkel told reporters.

A White House National Security Council spokeswoman said the Germans would be welcome but did not address what concessions the US was prepared to offer to tamp down the spying debacle that the Guardian newspaper reports may have involved up to 35 foreign leaders.

"German officials plan to travel to Washington in coming weeks and the US government looks forward to meeting with them," Caitlin Hayden, the spokeswoman, said. "We expect a range of meetings with relevant officials across the US interagency, but we do not have specific meetings to announce at this point."
Several European leaders noted the continent's close political and commercial ties to the US must be protected as EU nations demand more assurances from the Obama administration.