Good Faith
Who remembers when concerns about UK involvement in “rendition” were ridiculed as conspiracy theories? Let’s have a quick trip down memory name courtesy of Obsolete to remind ourselves of the way these denials were formulated.
Here’s an extract from a leaked briefing document written by a Foreign Office official at Downing Street’s request.
The Home Office, who lead, are urgently examining our files, as are we. But we now cannot say that we have received no such requests for the use of UK territory or air space for “Extraordinary Rendition”. It does remain true that “we are not aware of the use of UK territory or air space for the purpose of “Extraordinary Rendition”". But we think we should now try to move the debate on from the specifics of rendition, extraordinary or otherwise, and focus people instead on the Rice’s clear assurance that all US activities are consistent with their domestic and international obligations and never include the use of torture.
Phrases like “we are not aware of…” were commonly included in the government’s semi-denials. The memo also recommends that “we should try to avoid getting drawn on detail… and to try to move the debate on, in as front foot a way we can, underlining all the time the strong anti-terrorist rationale for close cooperation with the US, within our legal obligations.” Again, this diversionary tactic was repeatedly deployed by the government.
Further trips down memory lane available from Blairwatch and The Guardian.
Good faith? Its not even funny.
septicisle said,
February 21, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
You have to wonder if now they’re also going to admit that rendition flights did land here to refuel, which they’ve never honestly owned up to despite the legions of evidence that a large number of aircraft linked to the programme stopped here for one purpose or another. What they’ve done is waited until the furore over it died down to admit this; and even now they’re still not admitting that there either is or was a prison camp on Diego Garcia when US officials themselves have made reference to there being one.
Flying Rodent said,
February 22, 2008 @ 5:49 am
I’m not bad at lying my way out of trouble myself in a pinch, and here’s my assessment of what’s going on - if you get caught out telling a whopper, back up and admit to a lesser offence and issue a “genuine” apology.
Ask a copper, they’ll tell you this is a classic of the genre.
Miliband and kidnapping - Chicken Yoghurt said,
February 22, 2008 @ 8:41 am
[…] More, more, more, more, more, more, more, more and… […]
Garry said,
February 22, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
Are you guys conspiracy nuts or something? Unless we all start to believe in conspiracy theories and that the officials are lying, that Jack Straw was lying… oh, hang on a minute.
Richard Herbert said,
February 23, 2008 @ 1:24 am
“But we now cannot say that we no longer disbelieve that Tony Blair is not the greatest and most honest Prime Minister that Britain has ever had. It does remain true that we are not aware that he is not.” - Former Civil Servant
jailhouselawyer said,
February 24, 2008 @ 11:09 am
For what its worth, I throw in my tuppence worth here.
Jack Straw condoned CIA torture of suspected terrorists
David Miliband misled Parliament and the public in his statement to the House of Commons on US “extraordinary-rendition” flights
Scottish Roundup » Blog Archive » Hasta El Roundup Siempre! said,
February 24, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
[…] inhumane treatment of animals to inhumane treatment of other humans, and Garry reacts to the UK Government’s admission that extraordinary rendition flights were refuelled […]