Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expected to give allies in Europe a response next week to their pressure over Washington’s treatment of terrorism suspects: back off…
But Rice will shift to offense when she visits Europe next week, in a strategy that has emerged in recent days and been tested by her spokesman in public and in her private meetings with European visitors.
She will remind allies they themselves have been cooperating in U.S. operations and tell them to do more to win over their publics as a way to deflect criticism directed at the United States, diplomats and U.S. officials said.
Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern said Rice told him in Washington she expected allies to trust that America does not allow rights abuses — a sign she will avoid giving Europe a detailed response on U.S. intelligence work.
And she refused to give Ahern a personal assurance Ireland has not been used for secret prisoner transfers, saying he had already heard that denial from the U.S. ambassador, a senior State Department official said…
There are signs Europe has already begun to get the message to ease up on the controversy.
Ahern said he accepted the U.S. word. Germany, whose foreign minister also pressed Rice this week during a visit, said it would wait patiently for a U.S. response….
What steps do you think European leaders can take to stamp out criticism of US torture camps?
at least in public opinion terms. Don’t you think? “Trust us” is likely to produce laughter.
This seems likely to encourage more coalition members to no longer be so “willing.” Condi, can you spell “withdrawal dates set by EU members?” I knew you could.
THRUST us is more like it…..
Since at last check 43% of Europeans now know what the infamous CIA plane used for this operation looks like, they need an alternative means of transport, until things quiet down. And I know just the thing. In the spirit of the holidays, “evildoers” can be airlifted in by flying reindeer flights. And if Santa is unwilling, I’m sure some blowhard at Fox TV will be willing to pilot “North Pole One” in exchange for exclusive video rights. Added benefit – with no metal parts (“A wooden sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,” IIRC) the flights cannot be tracked on radar!
Ho! Ho! Ho!
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Hot Air Balloon
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
You have too many good choices in the poll. How about the European leaders conduct bombing raids against newspaper readers while disavowing violence but supporting Rice and executing any survivors of the ensuing rendition that also escaped the bombing.
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How much? Do tickle me …
In Same God We Trust
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
EU leaders just revoke her passport, diplomatic privledges and toss her in to one of these camps — she can address them from there.
They could just take her straight to the Hague right from the plane, she could get the cell all ready for the C-130 load of room mates. 😉
Rots of ruck, lady! Europeans don’t enjoy our cheerful obliviousness to what goes on around us. They don’t want to be our cannon fodder or host our gulags. We both embarass them as allies and disgust them as lawbreakers. Rice can twist arms, but Europe has gone beyond easy capitulation.
When I read this article yesterday I was deeply troubled. I mean, who the hell does she think she is? Is she going to threatened invasion of the EU countires complaining? That is what this administration is all about now isn’t it? Can’t you just see ol’ George standing on the deck of the Titanic screaming “I’m King of the World”?