UK apology over rendition flights
Ashley | 21.02.2008 13:52
From the BBC: -
David Miliband has admitted two US "extraordinary rendition" flights landed on UK territory in 2002.
In a statement to MPs the foreign secretary said in both cases, US planes stopped on the UK dependent territory of Diego Garcia to refuel.
He said he was "very sorry" to have to say that previous denials made in "good faith" were now having to be corrected.
Mr Miliband said the flights had only come to light after a US records search and said the US shared the UK's regret.
Former foreign secretary Jack Straw and former prime minister Tony Blair made statements in 2005, 2006 and 2007 saying there was no evidence that rendition flights had stopped on UK territory.
Mr Miliband said the US had told him that neither of the two men involved in the rendition were British. One has since been released and one is at Guantanamo Bay.
BBC world affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds said the revelations were "a serious embarrassment for the British government".
Not only is the US government supposed to ask permission for such flights, but assurances were given to Britain which led to misleading statements by ministers.
He said it was "bound to lead to a further loss of confidence in the word of the US" with "the only mitigating factor" being "that the US volunteered the information".
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The cynic in me sees this as a way to stop people looking in to this further. If they admit 2 flights touched down to refuel on UK territory then hopefully people will be satisfied and move on to something else (move along, there's nothing to see here).
The finger is pointed squarely at the US (the 'we didn't do it, a big boy did it and ran away' excuse)
Incidentally Diego Garcia is the Indian ocean island that the UK forceably depopulated in the late 60's/early 70's in order to use it as a base for the UK and US forces (makes you wonder how long they've been planning this s**t doesn't it).
David Miliband has admitted two US "extraordinary rendition" flights landed on UK territory in 2002.
In a statement to MPs the foreign secretary said in both cases, US planes stopped on the UK dependent territory of Diego Garcia to refuel.
He said he was "very sorry" to have to say that previous denials made in "good faith" were now having to be corrected.
Mr Miliband said the flights had only come to light after a US records search and said the US shared the UK's regret.
Former foreign secretary Jack Straw and former prime minister Tony Blair made statements in 2005, 2006 and 2007 saying there was no evidence that rendition flights had stopped on UK territory.
Mr Miliband said the US had told him that neither of the two men involved in the rendition were British. One has since been released and one is at Guantanamo Bay.
BBC world affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds said the revelations were "a serious embarrassment for the British government".
Not only is the US government supposed to ask permission for such flights, but assurances were given to Britain which led to misleading statements by ministers.
He said it was "bound to lead to a further loss of confidence in the word of the US" with "the only mitigating factor" being "that the US volunteered the information".
______________________________________________________
The cynic in me sees this as a way to stop people looking in to this further. If they admit 2 flights touched down to refuel on UK territory then hopefully people will be satisfied and move on to something else (move along, there's nothing to see here).
The finger is pointed squarely at the US (the 'we didn't do it, a big boy did it and ran away' excuse)
Incidentally Diego Garcia is the Indian ocean island that the UK forceably depopulated in the late 60's/early 70's in order to use it as a base for the UK and US forces (makes you wonder how long they've been planning this s**t doesn't it).
Ashley
Additions
Many flights landed in Scotland
21.02.2008 17:23
There have been at least 100 incidents of CIA 'rendition' aircraft using Scottish Airports for refuelling.
I asked Ian Learmouth, Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police to investigate. He refused!
His e-mail address is:
ian.learmouth@strathclyde.pnn.police.uk More info in these reports here:
Call for outlawing of 'rendition' flights, 28 October 2007
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/oct/28/politics.humanrights Minister admits 'rendition' planes used RAF bases, 7 March 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/mar/07/uk.usa
planespotter
This is not an apology about rendition
22.02.2008 10:58
Look carefully.
There is no apology about the principle of rendition.
They are apologising for previously saying rendition did not happen via the UK, when in fact it did.
Nowhere does the government make any statement against the idea or implementation of rendition. Be in no doubt, if the US requested it again, they would allow it without flinching.
They are trying to give the impression of being concerned about the principle while in practice being quite happy for it to go on.
Typical New Labour doublespeak.
There is no apology about the principle of rendition.
They are apologising for previously saying rendition did not happen via the UK, when in fact it did.
Nowhere does the government make any statement against the idea or implementation of rendition. Be in no doubt, if the US requested it again, they would allow it without flinching.
They are trying to give the impression of being concerned about the principle while in practice being quite happy for it to go on.
Typical New Labour doublespeak.
Mercury Kev
Comments
Hide the following 3 comments
So What? Crime Deserves Punishment
21.02.2008 16:39
Sad
Surely someone is now accountable
21.02.2008 22:27
It smells like a smokescreen to me, I've seen the figure of 200+ rendition flights bandied around, if it looked like there was any way of this information becoming common knowledge admitting to 2 cases after the fact and claiming ignorance might be just the thing to throw people off the scent (or am I being too paranoid here :) If a pack of slavering hounds knew I had a fridge full of steak I would probably throw them a bone or two.
Ashley
Ashley
21.02.2008 23:44
However even if that were the case and someone from within the UK jurisdiction knowingly aided and abetted a war crime then they would be open to prosecution.
Regarding rendition flights in countries signed up to the International Criminal Court (which conveniently excludes the US):
As I understand it, under the ICC Act for both Scotland and the rest of the U.K. if an international crime is not pursued by the the UK it can be referred to the Hague.
Perhaps someone should contact the Hague.
beard stroker