CIA prisons: US soothes Europe

2005-12-08 18:30

Brussels - European ministers have voiced satisfaction with United States secretary of state Condoleezza Rice's reassurances over supposed secret CIA prisons.

Speaking at a dinner for Nato representative on Wednesday night, Rice welcomed the comments after days of questioning about the controversy, although she conceded it might take longer to allay public concerns in Europe.

Many ministers said the dinner with Rice had eased their concerns about allegations that the CIA used European airports while transferring terror suspects to covert prison facilities, or countries where they might be tortured.

Nato chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the "good discussion" with Rice had "cleared the air".

Dutch foreign minister Ben Bot, who had been one of the most concerned before the talks, said he was "very satisfied" with Rice's explanations.

Rice arrived in Belgium on Wednesday after stops in Germany, Romania and Ukraine.

In an attempt to pre-empt pressure in Brussels, Rice made a statement on the US torture issue just before her arrival in the city.

Ministers appear satisfied

Rice said Washington's obligations under an international convention prohibiting cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment "extend to US personnel wherever they are".

The Brussels talks could have descended into a tense standoff, but European ministers appeared satisfied with the talks.

However, Rice conceded that the process of convincing the European public may have to go on: "I think it's only natural that sometimes we have these discussions. Questions, concerns arise, we should discuss them in a serious way among friends.

"Whether or not it will continue to be a matter of discussion I can't say. I'm perfectly happy to continue to have this discussion."

The focus of the Nato talks in Brussels is a deal to expand the international security assistance force (Isaf) into Afghanistan's more-volatile south, where the US is keen for Nato to ease pressure on its stretched forces.

Nato took command of Isaf in 2003, and has extended the force's presence from Kabul into the north and west. It is expected to cover the whole of Afghanistan eventually.

However, the only questions for Rice at her sole press conference were about the prisons row.

- AFP