NSA spying still a sore spot between U.S. and Germany

By CNN Staff

updated 5:15 PM EDT, Fri May 2, 2014

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged Friday that differences remain between their governments on surveillance programs in the aftermath of disclosures by classified leaker Edward Snowden.

Obama told reporters at a joint news conference at the White House that "we're not perfectly aligned," noting the United States has no "blanket no-spy agreement" with any country, including close allies.

Merkel later told business leaders that a balance must be struck between technical capability, security needs and privacy.

"In a nutshell, an end never justifies the means and not everything that's technically feasible ought to be done," she said.

Germany and other friendly countries complained when Snowden's disclosures last year revealed U.S. surveillance of foreign leaders as well as screening of foreign phone calls and Internet contacts in investigating terrorist ties.

The Obama administration responded that all countries conduct surveillance on each other, but the President also has ordered changes in U.S. programs.

Obama said Friday that "it has pained me to see the degree to which" the Snowden disclosures have strained the relationship with Germany, a key ally.

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NSA spying still a sore spot between U.S. and Germany