Straw Gets Tough. Well, Not Really
A story that is going to get much more coverage is that of the secret CIA flights and prisons in Eastern Europe that we mentioned earlier.
To put the situation simply, many in Europe were concerned with the EU enlargement because of poor democratic structures and concern over human rights in the new member states - the same concerns that held up Turkey's application. However they were admitted and they promised to be good.
Now that a gulag archipelago has been set up in these countries the EU is very pissed off. Unfortunately Jack Straw, UK Foreign Minister and Groupie to the US Secretary of State for Defence, has to represent the EU as Britain is currently holding the EU Presidency.
Here's the hard hitting letter he sent to Condi:
As the president of the Council of European Union, I am writing to you on behalf of the European Union, following media reports suggesting violations of international law in the alleged US detention or transportation of terrorist suspects in or through EU member states.
This matter was discussed by EU foreign ministers at the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on November 21.
The reports have attracted considerable parliamentary and public attention.
The European Union will therefore be grateful for clarification the US can give about these reports in the hope that this will allay parliamentary and public concerns.
I am sharing a copy of this letter with my European colleagues.
Your sincerely,
Jack Straw
EU Parliamentarians described the letter as less than zealous.
Needless to say, Condi isn't quaking in her shoes at the prospect of such a grilling from Jack. She's planning to tell him to Piss Off.
Number of people who think anything is going to be resolved during the British Presidency: 0
Sounds like the US Congress
Sounds like the US Congress which is 'investigating' the exploding Abramoff bribery and corruption scandal. One of the ranking Democrats on the subcommittee doing the investigation is under investigation himself.
"violations of international
"violations of international law "
Prisoners held US diplomatic passports.
see www.postmanpatel.blogspot.com yesterday