Following the scandal emerged upon claims that the agency ran a secret charter service, shuttling detainees to interrogation in European countries, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began visits to persuade her European allies on Tuesday.

The first support to Rice “surprisingly” came from Germany. Before Rice arrived, the German government gave the message “we will inquire into the claims,” but Merkel showed they are in favor of Washington using Rice’s own words: “We need the secret services against the threats in the world.”

Rice relating that the CIA protects the Europeans, too, prior to her visit, said some mistakes may have been made in the policy of the fight against terrorism, but they will compensate for this.

The Secretary said they will do everything necessary to protect European citizens in the frame of international laws and defended that the US does not overlook torture.

Merkel expressed Germans want to provide the integration of Europe on one hand, and continue close relationships with the US on the other, and they have to fight against the threats of the 21st century together.

Rice pointed out the terrorist attacks in the world is aimed at innocent people, emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering in the fight against terrorism.

Before the visit, the German government asked for information about the CIA planes from the US and government, and spokesperson Ulrich Wilhelm verified that the German government is in possession of reports about the CIA flights.

Otto Schily, the former German Interior Minister, claimed the CIA planes landed most frequently in the country, with 437 recorded flights, and he told that when he was informed about the flights, an investigation was instigated.

Europeans against CIA flights

Public opinion polls conducted in eight US allied countries following the claims that the CIA shuttled terror suspects to Europe via a secret charter service for interrogation revealed that the majority of people are against this.