Brussels, 09/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - "Given the uncertainty about the appropriate legal basis to open a formal investigation into the existence of CIA detention camps in Europe, we are calling for the creation of a temporary committee of inquiry, similar to the Echelon committee, to shed light on allegations of torture and violations of human rights within the Union", said Martin Schulz, the German President of the Socialist group of the European Parliament, on Friday. The MEP was clearly far from satisfied with explanations given on Wednesday by the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about CIA flights and secret prisons (EUROPE 9085). He stated that "Condoleezza Rice implicitly acknowledged the existence of these flights, whilst insisting that the sovereignty of European States had not been violated. This means, therefore, that the States were aware of what was going on, and that they were able to take an active or a passive part in extra-judiciary incarcerations and acts of torture, which is in total contradiction with the European Charter on human rights". Although Condoleezza Rice took pains to mollify her audience, the Secretary of State at no point denied the existence of CIA flights to transfer suspected terrorists. Nor did she deny the existence of secret detention centres in Europe. The majority of MEPs in the committee on civil liberties of the EP took position last week in favour of the launch of a formal investigation into the existence of CIA detention camps in Europe. However, it is by no means certain that such an investigation will be able to take place, given the lack of legal basis (EUROPE 9083). The committee on civil liberties is to hold an extraordinary meeting, in Strasbourg on 12 December, to discuss the possible objectives, mandate and timetable for such a committee of inquiry. The meeting will be attended by the Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, Franco Frattini, a representative of the legal services of the Parliament and a representative of the Council of Europe. The president of the committee on civil liberties of the EP, Jean-Marie Cavada (ALDE, France), declared that he was "in favour of the Parliament's committee of inquiry working alongside the investigation currently being carried out by the Council of Europe". British MEP Sarah Ludford (ALDE) has already indicated that she will ask the committee on civil liberties on Monday to "start preparatory work, on the basis of the Treaty of the Union, to punish any Member States which may have been party to exceptional transfers of prisoners and torture". Franco Frattini had already announced at the end of November that any Member State of the Union in which the presence of secret CIA prisons is proved "may see their voting rights within the EU suspended" (EUROPE 9078).