Brazil says Washington has insufficiently responded to Brasilias request for an explanation over US spying programs, recently revealed by US intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden.Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota said Monday that some clarifications have been made however Brazilia views them as insufficient.
Patriota also reported that there had basically been nothing new since he appeared before Congress last week, saying he was awaiting a formal response from Washington.
Since the disclosure, the Brazilian government has set up a technical group, including representatives of the ministries of justice, defense, foreign affairs, science and technology as well as security experts, to investigate into the spying revelations.
On July 7, Brazilian newspaper O Globo published a report based on documents leaked by Snowden, showing the US National Security Agency has targeted most Latin American countries in their spying programs.
According to the report, Brazil along with Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico were among those of highest priority for the U.S. intelligence agency in Latin America.
In addition, the newspaper revealed that Washington also kept a base in Brasilia to intercept foreign satellite communications.
President Dilma Rousseff responded to the revelations that if the reports prove true, they would constitute a violation of sovereignty and human rights.
On July 12 during a summit, Presidents of Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela together condemned the US for spying in the region.
Meanwhile, Latin American nations, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia have all offered asylum to Snowden, who is holed up at Moscows Sheremetyevo International Airport since June 23, when he landed in Russia from Hong Kong.
By Press TV
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