Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DUBLIN899
2007-12-13 13:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dublin
Cable title:
PRIME MINISTER DISMISSES IHRC CALL FOR INSPECTION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHDL #0899 3471333 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 131333Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8778
UNCLAS DUBLIN 000899
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL EI
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER DISMISSES IHRC CALL FOR INSPECTION
OF U.S. AIRCRAFT
REF: DUBLIN 898
UNCLAS DUBLIN 000899
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL EI
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER DISMISSES IHRC CALL FOR INSPECTION
OF U.S. AIRCRAFT
REF: DUBLIN 898
1. On December 12 in the National Parliament (Dail),Prime
Minister (Taoiseach) Bertie Ahern categorically rejected
Opposition and Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) calls for
the random inspection of U.S. aircraft when they are alleged
to be transiting Ireland on "extraordinary rendition"
flights. Hours earlier, Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern had
similarly rejected the IHRC's demand, contained in a report
released the same day (reftel).
2. The Prime Minister stated that there was not a "scintilla
of evidence" to substantiate the IHRC allegations, noting
that the Gardai (police) already have the legal authority to
board an aircraft when there is a reasonable suspicion of
wrongdoing. He added that there were serious questions about
the effectiveness of the inspection regime proposed by the
IHRC; a regime, he said, that has not been adopted by any
other European country. The Ministers noted that there had
been six occasions when the Gardai had inspected U.S flights
alleged to be involved in renditions. Each flight was
carrying legal cargo and passengers.
FOLEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL EI
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER DISMISSES IHRC CALL FOR INSPECTION
OF U.S. AIRCRAFT
REF: DUBLIN 898
1. On December 12 in the National Parliament (Dail),Prime
Minister (Taoiseach) Bertie Ahern categorically rejected
Opposition and Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) calls for
the random inspection of U.S. aircraft when they are alleged
to be transiting Ireland on "extraordinary rendition"
flights. Hours earlier, Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern had
similarly rejected the IHRC's demand, contained in a report
released the same day (reftel).
2. The Prime Minister stated that there was not a "scintilla
of evidence" to substantiate the IHRC allegations, noting
that the Gardai (police) already have the legal authority to
board an aircraft when there is a reasonable suspicion of
wrongdoing. He added that there were serious questions about
the effectiveness of the inspection regime proposed by the
IHRC; a regime, he said, that has not been adopted by any
other European country. The Ministers noted that there had
been six occasions when the Gardai had inspected U.S flights
alleged to be involved in renditions. Each flight was
carrying legal cargo and passengers.
FOLEY