Obama talks with Mexico, Brazil leaders on NSA

9/6/2013

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia  — President Obama says his administration will work with the governments of Brazil and Mexico to resolve tensions over allegations that the U.S. monitored their communications.

Obama met separately with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on the sidelines of an international economic summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Obama says he assured both leaders that he takes very seriously the allegations of spying on their communications by the National Security Agency. He says he promised to address their concerns.

Both leaders have expressed outrage over revelations that the NSA kept tabs on their communications. Pena Nieto says it would constitute an illegal act. Rousseff responded by canceling a trip to Washington by a team of aides preparing for her upcoming U.S. visit.