Intel cooperation

U.S. Intelligence Director in New Zealand to Discuss Espionage

The director of National Intelligence of United States, James Clapper, held meetings in Wellington on Monday with New Zealand authorities to discuss espionage issues ahead of his visit to Australia for the “Five Eyes” intelligence meeting.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told the daily New Zealand Herald that he will discuss with Clapper the possibility of authorizing the Government Communications Security Bureau to issue its own orders of surveillance, as recommended by a study last week.

Key ruled out Clapper’s visit to the country, en route to Australia, would lead to a subsequent visit by U.S. President Barack Obama.

Clapper arrived in Wellington on Sunday on a U.S. C-17 Globemaster, a long range heavy military transport aircraft, local news portal Stuff reported.