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US admits using UK base for rendition flights

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Published Date: 22 February 2008
By ANGUS HOWARTH
BRITAIN'S relations with the United States suffered a damaging blow yesterday as the government was forced to admit that two US "rendition" flights transporting terrorist suspects had landed in UK territory.
Gordon Brown expressed "disappointment" following the disclosure that, despite years of denials, the flights had refuelled on the British Indian Ocean island territory of Diego Garcia in 2002.

"We have got to assure ourselves that these procedures will never happen again," the Prime Minister said.

Opposition parties expressed concern that the two cases may only be the "tip of the iceberg".

Angus Robertson, the Westminster SNP leader, who published a report two years ago alleging that US intelligence flights passed through Scottish airports, said: "The Labour government's credibility on rendition flights has been completely blown. I didn't trust the earlier denials of ministers and following their U-turn, I trust them even less."







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  • Last Updated: 21 February 2008 9:27 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: CIA 'torture flights'
 
1

Mercutio,

FALKIRK 22/02/2008 00:46:26
It's a long way from Prestwick.
2

John Blackley,

Winter Garden, FL 22/02/2008 02:24:04
Waffle, waffle, blether, blether.

Are we really meant to believe that the only rendition flights that touched on British soil landed on Diego Garcia? Or that the government of the day - or at any time in the ensuing years didn't know about it?

That's about as funny as watching Milliband 'assuring' Parliament that the unfortunate passengers on these flights were absolutely not take to secret detention facilities and double-absolutely-not subjected to torture.

Funny or pathetic? My opinion wavers.
3

,

22/02/2008 06:15:51
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4

Miss Jean Brodie,

22/02/2008 07:30:41
The murky world of labour politics ?
5

Proximaking,

Dundee 22/02/2008 07:53:34
And war crimes "generals" from Israel being allowed to swan off from Heathrow without being charged because his bodyguards may have a problem with it was another one last week. The armed response units didn't seem to worry about that when murdering JC Menendes on the underground in front of passengers, ..... or do they only murder people who are obviously unarmed?
6

AJ Fife,

22/02/2008 10:31:05
It's all Blair's fault - once he became Bush's bitch, the US have been urinating from a great height over the Westminster govt eversince!

These two flights will be the tip of the iceberg, we'll probably find out the Tower of London is also leased to the Yank torturers!
7

Redfive,

22/02/2008 11:15:35
Isn't it about time the houses of parliment dropped the term honourable, as these bunch of corrupt inept self serving hypocrates can lie about any thing they so desire with total inpunity - I am sick to death of this government and that includes the opposition, they all lie and cover up, hide information from the public and NEVER ACT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

What the Government said

“We have not approved and will not approve a policy of facilitating the transfer of individuals through the UK to places where . . . they would face a real risk of torture” – Foreign Office, Jan 19, 2006

“The British Government is not aware of any cases of rendition through the UK since May 1997, apart from the two cases in 1998” – Alistair Darling, March 17, 2006

“I am satisfied . . . that the only rendition which has taken place have been as I have stated” – Jack Straw, then Foreign Secretary, March 31, 2006

“There is no evidence that US rendition flights have used UK airspace (except the two cases in 1998)” – Intelligence and Security Committee report, June 28, 2007

“We would not allow transfer of detainees through our airspace if we had any concerns about individuals” – Letter from Kim Howells, Foreign Office Minister, Nov 2007

“Contrary to earlier explicit assurances that Diego Garcia had not been used for rendition flights, recent US investigations have revealed two occasions in 2002, when this had in fact occurred” David Miliband, Feb 21, 2008.

We need a government whom can be held accountable when they lie in the house of commons, we also need a government that puts the requirements of the natives before anyone else and to shed all those politicaly correct policies, repeal the human rights act, cease giving away UK passports to criminals and generaly to enhance our well being and lives.

But depressingly that will never happen.
8

Biker,

Ayr 22/02/2008 12:16:34
The US have been using rendition flights for the best part of 10 years. It has come to prominence since the 9/11 fiasco where, unable to secure information legaly at Guantanamo they sent prisoners abroad to be tortured into confessions by "friendly " governments. Or indeed their own agents in another country. For Jack Straw to say that he only knew of 2 flights is luicrous at best as these flights have come through Prestwick and other european "small" airports destined for who knows where.
Lies and more lies.
9

,

22/02/2008 12:23:37
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10

Jock MacTamson 2,

Highlands 22/02/2008 13:18:27
So the Westminister Government are liars. The security forces torture people.

This is not news it has always been this way except now we keep pretending that it is not. Be honest with yourselves.

Our Government knew, the US knew. I imagine the information has been leaked and they have admitted this to avoid the breaking story.

I personally witnessed UK police slapping around UK citizens on multiple occasions.

We are at war and holding hands and praying is not going to stop it, as for being the only side in a war sticking to the rules then we will lose.

I wish it were not so but our survival requires some skulls to be cracked and some blood to be spilled.

Yes. I am sure most of you sitting in your comfortable lives can afford such high ideals while complaining of barbarism but the security forces are at war to keep you safe.
11

Jock MacTamson 2,

Highlands 22/02/2008 13:21:21
The question you need to ask about this story is how long did they stop to refuel, did everyone disembark for a couple of days??? Why go to a place with no civilians unless you wish to keep your actions low key.
12

Biker,

22/02/2008 14:09:44
#12 Vincent. I consider that we in the UK are equally responsible as we allow the US to use our airports.
Jock. The level of hysteria you show is I feel largely due to the biased reporting and spin. We are NOT at war. Only in the minds of the conspiracy theorists does this exist.
13

,

22/02/2008 14:20:09
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14

,

22/02/2008 14:20:25
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15

Biker,

22/02/2008 14:46:48
Vincent. Had the police entered your premesis and found the drugs then yes, you would have been held responsible. Same goes in your car.

I have a BMWR1200C. Know it?
16

,

22/02/2008 15:00:58
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17

Biker,

Ayr 24/02/2008 13:02:44
Even if you could prove that you asked him. You could be seen as complicit.
Whats wrong with BMWs. Great bike and reliable.
Dunderhead, if you dont have any thing to add to the debate, dont demean it with your diatribe eh?

 

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