FRANCE has pushed for the European Union to delay talks with Washington on a huge free trade pact over claims of US spying on EU offices, but Germany says they should go ahead as planned.
French President Francois Hollande, who has said talks with the United States should not go ahead without guarantees the spying has stopped, was due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel later on Wednesday at a Berlin summit.
WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange meanwhile urged European nations to provide asylum to fugitive intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, whose revelations of widespread US spying on its allies have sparked deep concern.
The EU-US trade talks -- on what would be the biggest free trade agreement ever negotiated -- are due to start in Washington on Monday, but the revelations of US bugging of European diplomatic missions have cast them into doubt.
French government spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said the talks should be put aside until European governments receive answers promised by Washington about the spying allegations.
"This is not about stopping negotiations on the free trade agreement, but it does seem wise to temporarily suspend them, probably for a period of 15 days, to avoid controversy and to give time to obtain the requested information," Vallaud-Belkacem said after a cabinet session.
She said that for the talks to take place properly, "both sides must be able to meet in confidence".
But Merkel's spokesman said Berlin did not back a delay.
"The (EU) Commission wants to start negotiations on July 8, and in this it has the support of the German government," said spokesman Steffen Seibert.
"We want this free trade agreement and we want to start the talks now," he said.
Seibert also said a German delegation would travel to Washington next week to seek clarity on the NSA's activities.
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