Spy On The Wall Treatment A Given

U.S. government spokesmen refused to confirm or deny that the National Security Agency is spying on United Nations delegations, but the subjects of the reported surveillance were nonplussed Monday.

Britain's Observer newspaper reported that an NSA memo it had obtained described a "surge" in surveillance of the U.S.-based missions of Security Council members whose votes could be critical to a resolution backing war against Iraq.

But rather than taking offense to the snooping, the Russian ambassador considered it part of the game and the Bulgarian envoy said it was a badge of honor.

The January 31 memo — which the newspaper of London claims to have verified as authentic — says the eavesdropping effort is concerned with "the whole gamut of information that could give U.S. policymakers an edge in obtaining results favorable to U.S. goals or to head off surprises."

The memo was drafted by Frank Koza, identified as chief of staff of an agency division and addressed to "All," according to text of the memo reproduced on the newspaper's web site.

"As you've likely heard by now, the Agency is mounting a surge particularly directed at the UN Security Council (UNSC) members (minus US and GBR of course) for insights as to how to membership is reacting to the on-going debate RE: Iraq, plans to vote on any related resolutions, what related policies/ negotiating positions they may be considering, alliances/ dependencies, etc," the memo reads. "GBR" refers to Great Britain, the most supportive U.S. ally in the push toward a possible military confrontation.

The memo then lists the countries this target list would include: Angola, Cameroon, Chile, Guinea, Mexico and Pakistan. All are considered undecided in the run-up to a crucial vote on the U.S.-backed resolution authorizing force, which could occur in a week's time.

Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer declined comment Monday, as did a Satte Department spokesman. U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard said, diplomatically, "We haven't received any confirmation from a member state nor are we aware that any government raised an objection."

At the sprawling U.N. complex, Russian Ambassador Sergey Lavrov expects his phone to be tapped.

"It's a way of life, it comes with the profession, with the job," said Moscow's envoy, whose country has been historically familiar with such issues.

His Bulgarian counterpart, Stefan Tafrov said there was something akin to a "prestige factor" in being spied on. "It's almost an offense if they don't listen," he said.

The intelligence-gathering project was to "peak" around the time of Secretary of State Colin Powell's presentation to the Security Council on Feb. 5, where he presented a detailed case — including intercepted telephone calls and satellite photos — to back the Bush administration's claims that Iraq possessed and was concealing dangerous weapons.

The memo also called for NSA staff to exploit surveillance of U.N. members who are not on the council, as well as "analysts who might have similar, more in-direct access to valuable information from accesses in your product lines."

The NSA press office did not return a call seeking comment on the story. The Observer was unable to reach Koza.

The deputy ambassador from Chile, Cristian Maquieira, was one diplomat who admitted surprise. "We have pretty fluid conversations at all levels," he said.

Because of the sheer amount of information exchanged via phone and e-mail, Maquieira said, he wondered if anyone could keep track of it all.

"I don't know," he said. "I mean, there are some guys that are worried about it around here … I think it would surprise some of my colleagues who talk to their girlfriends on the phone."

If anyone can, it's the NSA — the eyes and ears of the U.S. intelligence community.

According to the agency, part of its mission is to "intercept and analyze foreign adversaries' communications signals" and then distribute them to its customers — the White House, Central Intelligence Agency, State Department, Pentagon and others.

As with all elements of the U.S. intelligence community, the NSA's budget and workforce are classified. It is based at Fort Meade in Maryland.