U.S. denials about rendition might undermine relations with Britain

[maddezmom]

Admission of flights could cause backlash

February 22, 2008
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is bracing for a diplomatic backlash after conceding it used British territory to transport suspected terrorists on secret rendition flights - despite repeated earlier assurances that the U.S. had not.

U.S. officials have sought to quell the fallout by apologizing to Britain for what they said was an "administrative error." The admission, however, might reopen a bitter debate between the United States and its allies over how the fight against terrorism should be conducted and compromise future cooperation.

"Mistakes were made in the reporting of the information," said Gordon Johndroe, National Security Council spokesman for President Bush. Johndroe insisted that cooperation between the U.S. and Britain would not be affected.



But as a sign of its concern, the State Department sent its top lawyer, John Bellinger, yesterday on a two-day mission. Bellinger will try to defuse what many expect will be widespread anger that the U.S., when asked in 2004, incorrectly assured its closest ally that neither British soil nor airspace had been used in moving suspected terrorists, officials said.

more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.cia22feb22,0,4704708.story?track=rss