The Federal Government’s secrecy interest outweighs the parliamentary interest in information, given that: the NSA Selector Lists requested under the Committee’s decision to collect evidence are not at the
Federal Government’s free disposal due to commitments made under
international law; the Government’s assessment that handing over the
lists without consent could significantly impair the functioning of German intelligence services and their ability to cooperate is reasonable;
the Federal Government – in cooperation with the Committee of Inquiry – has responded to the request to hand over the lists through
other procedural means in as precise a manner as possible without
actually disclosing secrets.
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