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January 19, 2006
Rendition
About sacrifice and the offering of sacrifices, sacrificial animals think quite differently from those who look on: but they have never been allowed to have their say. - Friedrich Nietzsche
Discussion of the issue of extraordinary rendition and our Government complicity in the matter shows no sign of abating.
Over at Bloggerheads, Manic offers a neat summary of the furore surrounding Jack Straw's evasions when challenged on the use of British airports by U.S. torture flights.
Jack Straw has attempted to deflect blame by claiming that the U.K. has not received a single request from the Bush administration, and only three from the preceding Clinton administration. And strangely enough, this may be the truth. But the absence of any formal request from the U.S. does not constitute proof that the U.S. is not using British airspace. Nor does it exonerate the British government. Does anyone really believe that an America arrogant enough to invade soveriegn countries in complete disregard to international law would see any need to consult with its blinkered poodle of an ally. Indeed the Bush administration may even have thought it was doing Blair a favour by not lodging formal requests.
While Blair tries to focus on the minutae of the leaked memo, the fact of the matter is that it proves that the government was aware that the possibility of such flights using our airspace did exist. And given the possibility, our obligations, both moral and those pertaining to international law made it incumbent on the government to find out exactly what was going on. Looking the other way, or avoiding the asking of awkward questions does not constitute innocence. As a qualified barrister, Straw knows that ignorance is no defence, and to attempt to assert otherwise is disingenius in the extreme.
If the government has nothing to hide, then why would Geoff Hoon claim a debate on the matter would be inappropriate? The SNP has produced a report compiled by aviation experts which lists 10 companies which operate as fronts for the CIA, including aircraft type, registration and landing dates at Scottish airports. It would appear that suspect flights used Prestwick and Glasgow 149 times for refuelling stops since 2001, used RAF Leuchars six times, Inverness five times and Wick twice.
Full details of the suspect flights can be found at Indymedia
A quick glance at that list shows Gulfstream jet (former egistration numbers N379P/N8068V) aka "The Guantanamo Express" though a DC 9 (Registration number N822US) which has been the subject of debate in the Canadian parliament and Norwegian diplomatic enquiries appears absent..
Now such flights will undoubtedly continue, regardless of whether or not the British government refuses permission. But a refusal to investigation constitutes complicity in the act and is an indefensible position for any right-minded government. So once again we are left with confirmation that this Blair government is anything but right-minded.
We are beyond the point of demanding the resignation of specific ministers. This government is drowning in a sordid pit of - at the very least - tacit acceptance of human rights abuses. Those responsible should be brought to justice. I'm sure Blair, Straw et al would enjoy the company of Slobodan Milosevic.
Posted by Clive on January 19, 2006 9:58 PM in the category Terror