James Chamblee
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 Posted:
Sat Jul 02, 2005 4:02 pm Post subject:
Italians Demand U.S. Show Respect |
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From BBC, 7/1/05:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4641821.stm
Berlusconi demands US 'respect'
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has demanded the US show
"full respect" for his country's sovereignty, in an official
statement.
His message was delivered to the US ambassador, who was summoned to
explain the alleged CIA abduction of an Islamic cleric in Milan in
2003.
Italy denies prior knowledge of the alleged operation to fly Osama
Mustafa Hassan, 42, to Egypt for interrogation.
Arrest warrants have been issued for 13 alleged CIA agents.
"The prime minister demanded full respect for Italian sovereignty from
the United States," said the statement, which followed Mr Berlusconi's
meeting with ambassador Mel Sembler.
The statement said the prime minister received assurances from Mr
Sembler that the US' "respect was full and total, and that it would
remain so in the future."
'Terrorism links'
Mr Hassan, also known as Abu Omar, was already being investigated in
Italy as part of a terrorism inquiry at the time of his reported
abduction.
The imam was allegedly flown out of Italy from a US military base
Italian prosecutors believe the operation was part of a controversial
US anti-terror policy known as "extraordinary rendition".
The policy involves seizing suspects and taking them to third
countries without court approval.
Minister for Parliamentary Relations Carlo Giovanardi has told
senators that neither the Italian government nor its intelligence
services knew about the operation.
But the Washington Post quoted unnamed CIA veterans saying the CIA
station chief in Rome had informed Italian officials in advance.
They said that it was agreed that if the operation became public
neither side would confirm its involvement.
No arrests have been made in the case since the warrants were issued.
None of the suspects is currently believed to be in Italy.
Mr Hassan, who had been granted refugee status in Italy, was allegedly
abducted in February 2003, while walking from his house to his local
mosque.
He was then reportedly driven to a US base north of Venice before
eventually being taken to Egypt.
The imam told his family he had been tortured with electric shocks
during his detention.
Italian investigators say his disappearance hampered an ongoing
investigation into alleged terrorist links.
They managed to track down the 13 suspected agents through the Italian
mobile phones they used during the operation.
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Harry
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