How Do You Say 'Awkward' In German? Kerry, German FM To Talk Spying
What's the German word for that feeling when you have to meet with someone from the country who kicked out your CIA chief?
Secretary of State John Kerry will probably know after he meets in Vienna over the weekend with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, where the two will likely discuss Germany's expulsion of the CIA's top official in Berlin over allegations of U.S. spying.
They'll both be in town for high-level talks over Iran's nuclear program, but Steinmeier already made it clear in a series of tweets that spying will be high on his priorities list when the two meet.
His Twitter account @GermanyDiplo said the request for the U.S. representative to leave Germany was a "necessary + appropriate reaction to breach of trust."
In a second tweet, Steinmeier is quoted as saying, "We want to reinvigorate our partnership+friendship w/ the #USA on an honest basis. This will be my message to @JohnKerry."
READ: Ex CIA Head: 'Shame on Us for Being Caught' in Germany
READ: US Intel Chief in Berlin Gets Das Boot Over Spy Row
A statement from the State Department was less explicit that spying will be on the agenda when the two meet one-on-one: "The stop in Vienna will allow the Secretary and Foreign Minister Steinmeier to discuss the P5+1 talks and issues such as the situations in the Middle East and in Ukraine, as well as bilateral issues."
But in this case "bilateral issues" likely means "talking about spies."