1000 Illegal CIA Flights
Over a 1000 flights took place in Europe by the US intelligence agency CIA according to a report by the European parliament. And EU governments knew about the flights. When this subject first appeared in the media EU governments either denied they had knowledge of the flights or kept quiet. The report states that there is evidence that the CIA illegally kidnapped and detained suspected terrorists on EU soil.
Mr Fava’s report states that the US had most probably violated the so-called Chicago Convention on flight transport, with the CIA using European airports for police and intelligence operations without notifying the national air authorities.
Using leased private “facade” airplanes on a permanent basis, the CIA has exploited a legal loophole that allows private aircraft to land at foreign airports without having to inform local authorities – unlike government or military planes.
MEPs have cross-checked data provided by Eurocontrol, the EU’s air safety agency, with information collected during three months of hearings and more than 50 hours of testimony by alleged victims, EU officials, media reports and human rights groups.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE AT EuObserver.
Administrator @ April 27, 2006