Shut Up! Shut Up!
Secretary of State Rice is facing a tough crowd in Europe. What initially was intended to be a 'make nice' trip to ease some of the tensions with our allies angry over the invasion of Iraq turned out to be a exercise in linguistic jujitsu seasoned with a dash of threats. The reason for the shift in emphasis? The ugly news about the US practice of 'extraordinary rendition' and the presence of 'black' CIA prisons on European soil. An article in The Times of London details Secretary Rice's message from Washington.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE challenged European leaders to back controversial American anti-terrorism tactics yesterday as she robustly defended the CIA’s extrajudicial seizure, transportation and interrogation of thousands of suspects.
In a defiant statement delivered before flying to Berlin, the US Secretary of State responded to European demands for explanations of secret CIA flights from EU territory by insisting that aggressive US actions had "prevented attacks in Europe" and "saved innocent lives".
Despite the uproar in Europe over America’s "extraordinary rendition" of suspects to countries such as Afghanistan, and claims that secret CIA prisons are located in Romania and Poland, Dr Rice said that she expected American allies to co-operate and keep quiet about sensitive anti-terrorism operations.
Debate between democracies was healthy, she said, adding: "I hope that debate also includes a healthy regard for the responsibilities of government to protect their citizens."
Dr Rice said: "We cannot discuss information that would compromise intelligence, law enforcement and military operations. We expect other nations share this view."
While Dr Rice denied that the CIA used torture, she refused to address the allegations of covert prisons that have caused consternation across Europe and not least in Romania, where she is due today.
"The US does not use the airspace or airport of any country for the purpose of transporting a detainee when we believe he or she will be tortured." [Emphasis added]
In other words, "We kidnap your citizens and fly them to undisclosed places that may or may not exist. We don't torture, but if we send them someplace that will torture them for us, we won't fly over your country. Even if we do, it's for your own good."
In other words, "Shut up! Shut up!"
CONDOLEEZZA RICE challenged European leaders to back controversial American anti-terrorism tactics yesterday as she robustly defended the CIA’s extrajudicial seizure, transportation and interrogation of thousands of suspects.
In a defiant statement delivered before flying to Berlin, the US Secretary of State responded to European demands for explanations of secret CIA flights from EU territory by insisting that aggressive US actions had "prevented attacks in Europe" and "saved innocent lives".
Despite the uproar in Europe over America’s "extraordinary rendition" of suspects to countries such as Afghanistan, and claims that secret CIA prisons are located in Romania and Poland, Dr Rice said that she expected American allies to co-operate and keep quiet about sensitive anti-terrorism operations.
Debate between democracies was healthy, she said, adding: "I hope that debate also includes a healthy regard for the responsibilities of government to protect their citizens."
Dr Rice said: "We cannot discuss information that would compromise intelligence, law enforcement and military operations. We expect other nations share this view."
While Dr Rice denied that the CIA used torture, she refused to address the allegations of covert prisons that have caused consternation across Europe and not least in Romania, where she is due today.
"The US does not use the airspace or airport of any country for the purpose of transporting a detainee when we believe he or she will be tortured." [Emphasis added]
In other words, "We kidnap your citizens and fly them to undisclosed places that may or may not exist. We don't torture, but if we send them someplace that will torture them for us, we won't fly over your country. Even if we do, it's for your own good."
In other words, "Shut up! Shut up!"
posted by Diane at 4:25 AM
1 Comments:
Such arrogance heh?
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