Calls grow for 'spy plane' inspections

aftenposten ^ | 26 Mar 2008

[rdl6989]

Politicians and human rights groups want to go on board US-registered planes that are believed to be carrying terror suspects when they land in Norway for refueling.

Planes believed to be chartered by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have landed at the Sola Airport outside Stavanger as many as 15 times since 2003, reports local newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad.

It's also believed that the planes, officially owned by Aviation Specialties Inc of the US, have landed for refueling at airports in Bergen and Evenes as well. A report to the European Parliament in 2006 claimed that Aviation Specialties is a subsidiary of the CIA.

The latest landing occurred earlier this month, and it once again set off protests because the flights are believed to be carrying terror suspects captured in the Middle East to prisons and military bases in the US.

Jon Peder Egenæs, secretary general of Amnesty International in Norway, told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) on Wednesday that Norway must get to the bottom of claims of illegal prisoner transport.

[bill1952]

what do they think that they would do with extremely violent terrorists if they were to find them?

[davisfh]

"Politicians and human rights groups..."

Screw 'em!!

[exit82]

Just say “no”.

[SandRat]

Anyone that tries needs to be told to “BUGGER-OFF!” Have the words punctuated by a very large and World-Class muscular Agent brandishing an automatic weapon standing at the plane’s entrance hatch.

[rdl6989]

Sing Kum ba yah over and over.

[Balding_Eagle]

I say, invite them on, strap them in a seat, and continue on to the interegation site.

[tiredoflaundry]

So do some members of one of the government coalition partners themselves. Politicians for the Socialist Left (SV) party, a member of the government, claim the debate has been much too mild on the issue, and suggest that the government and foreign ministry are being naïve. "We tend to rely too much on close allies, and there's no reason to in this case," said SV's defense spokesman, Bjørn Jacobsen. "Human rights may be being violated, and Norway can't support that."

oh brudder

[bikerman]

Politicians and human rights groups want to go on board US-registered planes that are believed to be carrying terror suspects when they land in Norway for refueling

Use larger fuel capacity planes so they wont have to stop problem solved.

[austrian]

why not just do it instead of whining around? it shouldn´t be a big problem to inspect a plane if you want. so do it or stop whining.

[bert]

If the alleged flights actually land in Norway, how are they illegal?

[edcoil]

Hey, didn’t ya know they are already doing that themselves.

[GAB-1955]

Unlike a man-o’war, a commercial vessel does not retain its national sovereignty in a foreign port, and is subject to the laws of the land. If a person is being held without charges, or without the ability to show habeas corpus or its legal equivalent, then the case is one of unlawful detention or perhaps kidnapping.

[Joe Boucher]

Most countries reserve the right to inspect cargo in all ports as well as craft to insure public safety and laws.

[tom h]

"Politicians and human rights groups want to go on board US-registered planes that are believed to be carrying terror suspects when they land in Norway for refueling ... the flights are believed to be carrying terror suspects captured in the Middle East to prisons and military bases in the US ... Norway must get to the bottom of claims of illegal prisoner transport."

There is an almost laughable solution to this. If the Norwegians board the plane and cause trouble, leave the terrorists in Norway and fly home empty.

This will prove just how strong the liberals' convictions are in Norway.

[chuckles]

Just shoot the terrorists and save the gas. No problemo!

Stop prison overcrowding, save the carbon footprint, get along with our allies, a win, win, win situation.

[austrian]

there´s one problem if the norwegians “board” (they can controll it anytime and as long as they want IF they want) the plane and they really find someone beeing held against his will NO one will fly home because the crew would be arrested.

[Charlespg]

Amnesty International needs to piss off

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Simple to remedy.

Explain to the the human rights agitators that to prevent any problems of legality, all planes will dispose of any potentially contraband or illicit materials by ejecting them at altitude before landing at the airport and allowing the inspection.

If they want to force our hand, maybe we should show them what an open palm feels like.

[MNJohnnie]

They can get on, just might not like where we take them off.