No proof of CIA secret jails
2005-12-14 22:03
Strasbourg - The European Union's top justice official said on Wednesday there was still no evidence that United States intelligence agents held terror suspects in secret prisons in Europe.
EU justice commissioner Franco Frattini, speaking before the European Parliament, cautioned against drawing conclusions without firm evidence.
"There is no evidence confirming allegations that have been made. Finding out the truth means getting evidence. No accusations can be considered founded without evidence," Frattini said.
On Tuesday, a European investigator said there were mounting indications that the US illegally held detainees on the continent and then hurriedly transported remaining prisoners to North Africa when word leaked out.
Swiss investigator Dick Marty is leading an inquiry into the reports that the CIA transferred terrorist suspects through European airports to secret detention centres, in breach of international and national laws.
Investigation gave clues
On Tuesday, Marty told the legal affairs committee of the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe, on whose behalf he is investigating, that a one-month investigation had unearthed "clues" that Poland and Romania were implicated - perhaps unwittingly - in the secret transport of prisoners.
Frattini said Marty deserves "public admiration and support for the activities he carries out". But Frattini said he accepted denials of involvement from Poland, Romania and other European governments.
"I can't call into question, without evidence to the contrary, the credibility of member governments. That doesn't exclude our shared desire to seek the truth," Frattini said.
Also on Wednesday, European lawmakers again spoke in favour of launching their own inquiry.
'Details must be revealed'
On Thursday, the assembly will vote on a resolution asking for a parliamentary probe to establish whether detainees were illegally held in Europe or transferred to other countries via EU territory or countries in negotiations to join the EU.
"I believe this a crucial and fundamental issue. The West's credibility is at stake," said Elmar Brok, chairperson of the assembly's foreign affairs committee.
Green deputy Kathelijne Buitenweg demanded Frattini reveals the precise content of the answers he had received from EU member states to the assembly.
"Are you happy with the answers? Can you tell us what the content was? If you really want to find the truth, what is your strategy?" she asked.
"You say people are not being tortured. Well, people are being virtually drowned, is that not torture? Perhaps you are misinformed," she said.
- SAPA