It Isn't Just NSA Listening

For John, BLUF:  Once you tell someone, it is out there.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Source is The New York Times:

U.S. Points to Russia as Diplomats’ Private Call Is Posted on Web
By PETER BAKERFEB. 6, 2014

WASHINGTON — After months of taking grief for snooping on foreign leaders, the Obama administration found itself on the other side on Thursday after a private telephone call between two American diplomats appeared on the Internet in a breach that the White House tied to Russia.

In the recording, an assistant secretary of state and the ambassador to Ukraine are heard talking about the political crisis in Kiev, their views of how it might be resolved, their assessments of the various opposition leaders and their frustrations with their European counterparts. At one point, the assistant secretary uses an expletive in a reference to the European Union.

More at:  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/07/world/europe/us-points-to-russia-as-diplomats-private-call-is-posted-on-web.html

This all started with this article from The Kyiv Post.  The headline, cleaned up for family friendly audiences was "‘F*** the EU,’ frustrated Nuland says to Pyatt, in alleged leaked phone call".  That would be Ms Victoria Nuland, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, at Foggy Bottom.  And U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt.

Number one rule in DC—don't write it down or transmit it if you are not prepared to see it on the front page of The Washington Post.

Regards  —  Cliff