Spy Charges Left Germany No Choice but to Send CIA Packing

Many Germans wouldn’t know FCI Petersburg from a Russian football team, not that this would normally matter. But the site called FCI or Federal Correctional Institution Petersburg, located 25 miles outside of Richmond, Virginia, was mentioned in a recent situation in Germany.

FCI Petersburg has been home to convicted American spy Jonathan Pollard since 1987. In a few weeks, the former U.S. Navy press officer will celebrate his 60th birthday. Just like every other day, Pollard is aware that he will spend his 70th and possibly his 80th birthday in Petersburg. Pollard not only spied on his own country, but also worked for Israel, America’s closest and most important ally in the Near East, and for former Israeli intelligence agency Lekem, which was disbanded following Pollard’s arrest. At the time, Jerusalem apologized profoundly for the incident, but the Americans did what they had to do in such a situation. They convicted Pollard, sentenced him to life imprisonment, and went back to business as usual. America needs Israel in the Near East, and Israel needs America in order to survive. Espionage or not, that principle governs everything, and anyone who challenges this guideline damages his own interests.

The Biggest Slap in the Face since 1949

In ordering the CIA station chief to leave, Germany acted just as Washington did with Pollard in 1987. Indeed, Berlin had no other alternative but to use the United States as a role model in terms of domestic and foreign policy. If Germany wants to be taken seriously as an ally and as a forceful participant in talks over such issues as a nuclear-free Iran or other future conflicts, it has to make clear that espionage is a crime and will be prosecuted as such, even if an important ally like the United States is alleged to be responsible.

It is hard to imagine Germany declaring the CIA’s top officer in Berlin as a “persona non grata.” But Germany acted wisely in taking the actions it did. To expel high-ranking representatives of one’s most important ally, no matter how diplomatically, is still a major slap in the face. Never before — either in Bonn or Berlin — have the Germans used such a diplomatic measure against their American protector.

But now, it is good for Germany to react aggressively. The same principle applies to Berlin as it does to Israel, Great Britain, France and Japan, whose rules against spying are respected in the West. Germany may be dependent on the United States, but it does not have to profess friendship in this case and can legitimately take a stand against espionage.

Four Cold Assertions

Four hard facts remain. Without an American presence in Europe, there would be no European security. Without America’s protection, Russia would dare to do anything. Were the CIA, FBI and NSA to withdraw cooperation in Germany, terrorist attacks in Germany would increase. Without American support, it would be impossible to advance European interests since Europe alone is powerless to defend its own policies.

This is not going to change for a long time. The United States is the most civilized of all global powers. Indeed, among the world’s strongest empires such as Persia, Rome, Byzantium, Spain, Great Britain or the Soviet Union, not one has ever advanced freedom as much as America. Anyone looking to China as a model today can ask Tibet, Korea or Vietnam how Beijing treats its neighbors. Given the benefits of political alliance with the United States, there is every reason for Germany to protect its partnership and not overreact to cases of alleged espionage.

But fewer and fewer Germans are capable of overlooking cases like the one involving the CIA in Berlin. They talk about how Washington has humiliated Germany and discuss ways to get even. It is as if the Germans have forgotten history, suddenly discovered an honor code rooted in the 19th century, and now echo the Austrians’ revenge for Königgrätz! If Germany were not so agitated, it would remind one of Willy Brandt.

Fretting Is Not a Political Response

Willy Brandt, who was not only bugged by the Americans when he served as mayor of Berlin but also as chancellor, addressed the situation with Washington diplomatically to preserve Germany’s interests, no more, no less. Konrad Adenauer did exactly the same thing in 1962 when John F. Kennedy forced the first chancellor of the Federal Republic [of Germany] to recall German Ambassador Wilhelm Grewe from Washington. There is evidence that the White House knew exactly what telegrams were sent to Bonn from the embassy at the time.

No matter how disturbing such situations are, simply getting irate is not an adequate response even if it is common political practice in the United States. Although this kind of reaction is not new, it is troubling. Since the country’s reunification, Germans are increasingly confused about where they belong, and many of the more moderate consider everything Western questionable, if not dangerous, from free trade to Atlantic cooperation.

This sentiment hasn’t yet affected the government and coalition parties, but it is getting stronger and more passionate. If this continues, Karl Jaspers’ question, “Whither the Federal Republic?” is definitely appropriate. The Americans, in any case, are obviously interested.