“I have felt that my own communications are probably monitored,” said Carter, a vocal critic of the spying activities of the US National Security Agency, on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.

“When I want to communicate with a foreign leader privately, I type or write the letter myself, put it in the Post Office and mail it, because I believe if I send an email, it will be monitored,” he explained during the interview.

The 89-year-old former commander-in-chief of the US also voiced his unhappiness about Obama’s refusal to take advice from him or his Carter Center after the host asked him whether Obama ever does so on domestic and international issues . 

“Unfortunately, the answer is no,” he replied, adding “President Obama doesn’t, but previous Presidents have called on me and the Carter Center to take action.”

The 39th US president further speculated that the reason behind Obama administration’s refusal to consult with him is their differing views over the Middle East.

“I think the problem was that in dealing with the issue of peace between Israel and Egypt, the Carter Center has taken a very strong position of equal treatment … and I think this was a sensitive area in which the President didn’t want to be involved,” added Carter, president from 1977 to 1981.

SHI/SHI