EU Chief: No Proof Of Secret Prisons

But Javier Solana Evasive On Dubious CIA Actions In Europe, Lawmakers Say

(AP) 
Last Wednesday, the EU parliament committee said that data from Eurocontrol shows the CIA has conducted more than 1,000 clandestine flights in Europe over the last five years, and that some of them secretly shuttled terror suspects to countries where they could face torture.

Legislators said that flight data showed a pattern of alleged hidden operations by U.S. agents, and they accused some European governments of knowing about it but remaining silent.

“We still don't know the facts. Prosecutors are looking into it, but it's hard to comment,” Solana told journalists after the hearing.

Solana was the most high-profile EU official invited to appear before the investigating committee so far. He made his comments in response to members' questions. It was his first update since the investigation began.

The parliament committee is seeking firsthand testimony from people who say they were kidnapped by U.S. intelligence agents and from human rights activists and EU anti-terror officials to get a better picture of the reported U.S. “extraordinary rendition” flights.

Solana said European governments sometimes face a dilemma when they have apprehended a person who they believe is a terror suspect, but do not yet have evidence that would stand up in court.

“I do recognize a dilemma. Locking him up indefinitely would be against our tradition of justice. How to handle this dilemma is difficult. We have to discuss this among friends, among allies,” he said.