EU's anti-terror chief says CIA rendition undermined US credibility
Regional-European Union, Politics, 2/21/2007

Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, military commissions and CIA renditions have undermined the credibility of the US and its partners, according to European Union's anti-terrorism coordinator, Gijs de Vries.

The European daily Financial Times Saturday quoted the Dutchman saying that "unless the US returned to a mainstream view of human rights, there was little hope of preventing a new generation of fundamentalists growing up." De Vries, who will soon be quitting his post, said the EU now had anti-terrorism cooperation with 11 neighboring states and had set up an assistance framework with Pakistan.

It was considering a request from Egypt but de Vries condemned Egypt's use of torture.

The European Parliament on Wednesday condemned EU member states for colluding with the CIA rendition flights and violating the human rights principles.

It also criticizzed de Vries for "unable to give satisfactory answers" to the CIA rendition.

Meanwhile, the EP has adopted a report calling on the EU Council to step up the fight against terror by agreeing on a common definition of terrorism.

The report by Spanish MEP Luis Yaez-Barnuevo, which was passed by a majority of 500 against 53 and 51 abstentions by the EP plenary on Thursday evening, claims that "the most serious threat to Europe at the moment is posed by violent radical groups claiming to defend Islam, such as the criminal Al-Qaida network and the groups which are affiliated to it or are inspired by its ideology." It also calls for an "effective control over various Islamic charities."

Previous Stories:
  Blair to withdraw some troops from Iraq   (2/21/2007)
  FBI report confirms abuse of Guantanamo detainees   (1/6/2007)
  Guantanamo prisoner transfers coordinated in Germany: US army   (12/16/2006)
  Illegal renditions in Europe, warrants for CIA officers   (7/6/2006)
  Dutch MP loses citizenship for lying about asylum bid   (5/16/2006)
  Muslim stigmatization increasing in Europe   (4/26/2006)

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