German spies aided Iraq war effort: report

[cal04]

German spies in Iraq helped US bombers confirm at least one target during the 2003 US invasion, despite the country's strident opposition to the war, German TV has reported. NDR television says two agents of Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency remained in Iraq throughout the war, supplying US military counterparts with information.

"They gave us direct support, they gave us information for targeting," it quoted a former US military official as
saying. He says the US raided a Baghdad suburb where Saddam Hussein was thought to be staying in April 2003 after a BND officer confirmed limousines were parked outside a building.

At least 12 civilians were killed in the attack. Germany said it was not at all involved in the Iraq war at the time.
If confirmed, the allegation would be an embarrassment to German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who oversaw security services at the time as chief of staff to former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

The report could help Chancellor Angela Merkel as she tries to mend ties with the US, strained by Mr Schroeder's opposition to the war. NDR says Mr Steinmeier has declined to be interviewed for the program. It says the BND has confirmed two agents are still in Iraq but denied they have been involved in targeting bombs.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1546392.htm

[ECH1969]

1. German spies helped U.S. in Iraq war

German spies in Baghdad helped U.S. warplanes strike at least one target during the 2003 Iraq war despite Berlin's statements it was not involved in the conflict, German media reported on Thursday.

The Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper and NDR television said two agents of Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency remained in Iraq throughout the war, supplying U.S. counterparts with information.

"They gave us direct support. They gave us information for targeting," NDR quoted a former U.S. military official as saying in a preview of a programme to be broadcast later on Thursday.

He cited a April 7, 2003 air raid on a Baghdad suburb where Saddam Hussein was thought to be staying that had been conducted after a BND officer confirmed limousines were parked outside a building. At least 12 civilians were killed in the attack.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1496679