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Ex-U.N. Envoy: U.S. Spied on Delegations...

Feb 12, 2004 5:05PM PST

"MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico's former ambassador to the United Nations said Thursday it was common knowledge the United States had spied on U.N. delegations in the run-up to the war in Iraq.

Adolfo Aguilar Zinser spoke a day after Mexico acknowledged it sent a letter in December asking the United States and Britain to explain recent accusations of spying on United Nations delegations.

Aguilar Zinser was recalled as Mexico's U.N. ambassador in November for saying the United States treated its southern neighbor like its "back yard." But he was at the United Nations when the alleged spying would have taken place.

Aguilar Zinzer told The Associated Press that Washington had violated international law and Mexico should seek an explanation from the U.S. State Department and file a formal complaint with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

"It was very obvious to the countries involved in the discussion on Iraq that we were being observed and that our communications were probably being tapped," Aguilar Zinser said. "The information was being gathered to benefit the United States.""

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