BND's Take on Coronavirus Origin: Merkel Slaps Down Cover-up Allegations
- Investigation findings on coronavirus origin: Merkel denies involvement in concealment
Let's dive into the latest buzz surrounding the German foreign intelligence agency, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), and their alleged findings on the origin of the darned Coronavirus pandemic.
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According to some recent media hullabaloos, the BND considers a lab accident in Wuhan, China, as the most likely culprit behind the global pandemic that's been wreaking havoc since 2020. These claims have been made based on reports from "Süddeutsche Zeitung" and "Die Zeit," suggesting that the Chancellery itself commissioned the investigation, only to keep its findings under wraps.
The BND reportedly got the ball rolling on investigating the root cause of that pesky SARS-CoV-2 virus, with then-Chancellery Chancellor, you guessed it, Angela Merkel herself being briefed on the operation by BND President, Bruno Kahl. The lab theory, as reported by "Die Zeit" and "SZ," was given a probability of 80 to 95 percent.
However, it appears that the veil of secrecy surrounding the findings has already drawn some criticism. Former Federal Health Minister, the one and only, Jens Spahn (CDU), recently chimed in, stating he had no clue about the classified intelligence report.
"I ain't seen nothing, heard nothing, and I ain't got no stinkin' reports," Spahn told the broadcasting giants RTL and ntv, explaining that the lab theory debate took place half a decade ago. He went on to add that even if the reports were accurate, an earlier finding on the virus's origin wouldn't have swayed Germany's coronavirus measures.
"The virus was what it was and caused the health issues it did," Spahn said, before adding that an earlier finding would not have altered Germany's response to the pandemic. However, he did suggest that if the reports prove true, it could have implications for foreign policy and research safety measures.
Remember that chilling moment in January 2020 when the first Coronavirus case hit Germany, landing in the sleepy Bavarian district of Starnberg? Well, that kicked off a series of controversial measures by Merkel and her cabinet, including the infamous contact restrictions and school closures.
- Angela Merkel
- Corona Virus
- Cover-up
- BND
- Intelligence Findings
- CDU
- Jens Spahn
- Lab Accident Theory
- SARS-CoV-2
- Wuhan
- Federal Chancellery
While we're on the subject, it's worth mentioning that the intelligence community's views on the virus's origins differ from one agency to another. For example, the United States intelligence community believes that the virus most likely emerged naturally, and a lab leak is considered less probable.
Angela Merkel, during her tenure as the Chancellery Chancellor, was briefed on the BND's investigation into the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with a lab accident in Wuhan being the theory given a high probability. However, recent statements by Jens Spahn, a former Federal Health Minister of the CDU, suggest that he had no knowledge of the BND's classified intelligence report on the matter. This raises questions about potential cover-ups related to the origins of the coronavirus.
