Strasbourg, 15/11/2005 (Agence Europe) - Further to reports on the alleged existence of secret CIA detention centres in Europe (EUROP 9061), MEPs said on Monday in plenary that they hoped the Commission would open a detailed inquiry in order to clear up all suspicion. The European Parliament therefore considers that the informal investigations announced on 3 November by the Commission are insufficient. “We need light to be shed on these reports. We cannot accept areas in Europe and the world that are outside the law”, French Socialist Martine Roure (PES) said, reflecting the feeling of a large number of MEPs. The Commission does not have such powers of investigation, replied European Commission Vice-President Franco Frattini, who nonetheless pledged to carry out “political action” on this sensitive issue. Ten countries including Slovakia and Romania denied the existence of such centres on their territory (EUROPE 9062), but MEPs do not consider these official denials sufficient. “We all feel solidarity with the victims of terrorism but every step must be taken in respect of fundamental human rights and the rule of law”, Carlos Coelho (EPP-ED, Portugal) stressed. If it is proven that such places exist, then Article 6 of the Treaty must be implemented, French Green member Hélène Flautre said, telling the Commission that “two countries are cited as having hosted such centres. You should hasten an inquiry”. Sarah Ludford, British Liberal Democrat, said that, if there remains the slightest doubt, then an investigation must be carried out and the Treaty provisions set in motion. She said the question must be dealt with at political level. By way of conclusion, Spanish Ignasi Guardans Cambo (ALDE) stressed: “The EU is an area of freedom, security and justice. It is therefore our responsibility to ensure the necessary measures are implemented”.
While recalling that these allegations have not yet been supported with evidence, Commissioner Franco Frattini admitted that, if they prove to be true, then they would be in serious breach of European rules (EUROPE 9067). “Indignation about these shameful acts is not, however, sufficient to be able to change the rules of the treaties”, he said, adding that, when one speaks of investigations, it means controls, inspections, interrogations and access to documents. The treaties, however, do not give the Commission such powers. It is therefore up to Member States to control and verify the truth of the reports, he said, citing Italy as an example as an inquiry may be opened there. At political level, the Commissioner undertook to conduct dialogue with the NGOs that have certain elements and with other institutions (Council of Europe, US Congress) which have decided to conduct inquiries, and to duly keep the European Parliament informed of any developments.
Several EU countries have opened inquires on matters involving CIA agents. German justice is inquiring into the kidnapping in Italy, in February 2003, of an ex-Imam by CIA agents. It is said he was taken to Egypt via the US base in Ramstein (south-western Germany), Der Spiegel reports. The public prosecutor's office in Milan called on 11 November for the extradition of 22 CIA agents suspected of having taken part in the kidnapping of the former Imam of a mosque in that town, Osama Mustafa Hassan. American secret agents are said to have used the San Juan de Palma airport on the island of Majorca as a rear base for kidnapping suspected Islamic terrorists in the world, the local daily Diario de Mallorca reported. The matter has been referred to Spanish justice.