USA: German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expresses uncertainty about Russia's presence in Crimea. In the wide-ranging speech at a Washington-based think tank, he adds American wiretapping has led to distrust

Record ID: 231442

  • Title: USA: German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expresses uncertainty about Russia's presence in Crimea. In the wide-ranging speech at a Washington-based think tank, he adds American wiretapping has led to distrust
  • Date: 28th February 2014
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C. UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 28, 2014) (REUTERS) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER AUDIENCE AT EVENT (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING: "Insofar we have been somewhat successful in involving and including Russia in our endeavors, but right now given the developments of late in Crimea, I'm not in a position to say whether we will be able to bridge those varying interests." VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING: "You know I'm really not the person who thinks lowly of security questions and security issues, but given the fact that this eavesdropping has been going on, this wiretapping has been going on, and given the fact that it might continue, I think we should think hard on whether it is not inappropriate towards a long standing and close friend, and whether it's not going to trigger the opposite effect and that is sow distrust instead of being beneficial not even to the Americans. " STEINMEIER AT PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING: "I'm not here to pass judgement on Edward Snowden, but one thing is clear, the practices he revealed have tested the trust of America's friends to the extent that it threatens to get in the way of all the other tasks and all the other opportunities that we have." PHOTOGRAPHER STEINMEIER AT PODIUM
  • Embargoed: 15th March 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVACZVDRXO5EKY3U9YJTR09CTZEL
  • Story Text: German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed uncertainty about Russia's ability to help with diplomacy in Crimea. In the wide-ranging speech on Friday (February 28) at a Washington-based think tank, he added American wiretapping has led to distrust.
    On Crimea, Steinmeier said Russia was helpful building bridges in the Ukraine when there were days of bloodshed, but with developments at two airports in Crimea on Friday, he said "I'm not in the position to say whether we can bridge those varying interests."
    Steinmeier also discussed Edward Snowden and American wiretapping, adding there has been a loss of trust in America.

    "I'm not here to pass judgement on Edward Snowden, but one thing is clear, the practices he revealed have tested the trust of America's friends to the extent that it threatens to get in the way of all the other tasks and all the other opportunities that we have."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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