Rice to Clarify 'Torture' Bases for EU

Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 30 November 2005

In the aftermath of reports that the US Central Intelligence Agency had established secret jails for torture in Europe, tension between the US and the European Union (EU) has escalated. While preparing for next week’s European tour, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice avoided commenting on reports relating to the secret torture jails. The US should take precautionary measures before terror acts are undertaken, she justified. Elsewhere in Europe, EU Commissioner for Justice Franco Frattini said the EU countries hosting secret torture camps on their territories would be severely punished. Frattini announced any such host countries’ right to vote in the EU be temporarily suspended. He also urged the Washington administration to take necessary measures about that issue. The claims about US torture centers focuses on Poland, which became an EU member last year, and Romania, which is preparing to become a member in 2007. In case the claims are proven to be true, Romania may experience a crisis in its EU accession process. The Council of Europe has already begun investigating the claims. The subject is expected to come to the fore during Rice’s European tour. The USA Today reported Rice would send the message that the US fought a common war with the Europeans against terrorists who did not heed any legal rule. Experts however, indicate that such a message may fuel the anger in Europe rather than appease it. The terror suspects must be held in custody indefinitely, Rice also maintained in her statement Thursday. During her European tour US secretary of state will hold talks with Germany, Ukraine, and Romania. She will then travel to Belgium to participate in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization meeting.

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