Letter to the Chairman from Rt Hon David
Miliband MP, Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Thank you for your letter of 28 February concerning
the new information that we have received from the US on rendition
through Diego Garcia. I agree that this new information and the
Government's response to it are relevant to your broader inquiry
into the Overseas Territories.
Your questions cover a range of issues that
officials in my Department are currently working on. The US Government
recognises the absolute imperative for the British Government
to provide accurate information to Parliament and we are working
closely with our US allies on the details and implications of
this new information. This process will take some further time
and therefore, at this stage, I will not be able to provide all
the details you seek.
However, I am pleased to be able to provide
you with a response to the specific points on which we do have
clarity. I will write to you again when officials have concluded
their work on this issue.
DIEGO GARCIA
— The Government has no record of any
request having been made by the US regarding the rendition of
the two individuals through Diego Garcia.
— The Government previously received
assurances from the US in 2005, 2006 and 2007 that no detainees
had been transferred through the territorial waters of Diego Garcia.
These assurances were given at the annual Diego Garcia political-military
talks.
— I enclose copies of the initial agreement
of 1966 and the subsequent agreement of 1976,[300]
a note explaining UK supervision of activities on Diego Garcia
and details of UK military personnel stationed on the island.
TURKS AND
CAICOS ISLANDS
— The Government had received assurances
from the US in respect of rendition through all UK territories
or airspace (ie including the Turks and Caicos Islands) in November
2005.
— We will be referring all flights
where concerns have been raised to the US. This includes flights
through the UK and its Overseas Territories (ie including the
Turks and Caicos Islands).
LIST OF
ALL FLIGHTS
BEING SENT
TO THE
US
— The list of flights where the Government
has been alerted to concerns about rendition is nearing completion.
I will forward a copy to you as soon as possible. The list is
based on information provided by my Department, the Department
for Transport, the Ministry of Defence, the Home Office, Members
of Parliament, members of the public and non-governmental organisations.
Once complete, it will be sent to the US as a matter of urgency.
— The list contains all specific flights
where concern has been raised about rendition, but not more general
allegations that lack sufficient data to be verified. The flights
on the list include instances where concerns have been raised
that planes may have been on their way to or from a rendition
operation. However, our purpose here is to identify whether rendition(ie
of an individual) through UK territory or airspace in fact occurred.
We do not consider that an empty flight transiting through our
territory falls into this category.
— Although the list contains the names
of individuals who are alleged to have been rendited on specific
flights, we are seeking clarification on the flights and not the
individuals at this stage.
I hope that I have addressed most of your concerns.
I would be glad to receive any follow-up questions you may have.
However, I must state again that officials are still analysing
the implications of the new information received from the US and
I may have to defer any further questions until we have established
more of the detail surrounding this issue.
EXTENT OF
UK SUPERVISION
UK personnel on Diego Garcia provide Customs
and Immigration cover, Policing and a range of other civil functions
including Magistrate, Coroner, Development Control and Registration
of Births, Deaths and Marriages, in order to ensure that UK Law,
supplemented by specific BIOT ordinances, is upheld.
A wide range of activities are conducted by
US personnel on Diego Garcia which are routine in nature and are
covered by entries in the Exchange of Notes. These activities
are not normally supervised by UK personnel, nor at 42 personnel
is there capacity to do so. Any extraordinary use of the US base
or facilities, such as combat operations or any other politically
sensitive activity, requires prior approval from Her Majesty's
Government and would attract a greater level of involvement by
UK personnel both on Diego Garcia and in the UK.
BRITISH FORCES IN THE BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN
TERRITORY
| Rank/Rate | Job Title and Relevant Additional Roles
|
| Commander, Royal Navy | Commissioner's Representative and Commander British Forces
Magistrate & Principal Immigration Officer
|
| Major, Royal Marines | Executive Officer and Chief of Staff
Officer Commanding Royal Marines & Security Officer
|
| Lieutenant, Royal Navy | Logistics Officer
|
| Sergeant, Royal Logistics Corps | Movements and Mail Officer
|
| Sergeant, Royal Signals | Communications Technician
|
| Leading Seaman (CIS) | Communicator
|
| Leading Logistician (Personnel) | CBF's Secretary
|
| Warrant Officer (2), Royal Marines | Detachment Sergeant Major
|
| Sergeant, Royal Marines | Training Sergeant
|
| Corporal, Royal Marines | Storeman
|
| Corporal, Royal Marines | Vehicle Maintainer
|
| Corporal, Royal Marines | Driver
|
| Lance Corporal, Royal Marines | Armourer
|
| Corporal, Royal Marines | Senior Coxswain
|
| Lance Corporal, Royal Marines |
|
| Marine | |
| Marine | Coxswains |
| Marine | |
| Leading Marine Engineering Mechanic | Outboard Engine Maintainer
|
| Chief Marine Engineering Mechanic | Senior Customs and Immigration Officer
|
| Corporal, Royal Marines | Assistant Senior Customs and Immigration Officer
|
| Leading Medical Assistant |
|
| Leading Medical Assistant |
|
| Leading Logistician Catering Services |
|
| Leading Logistician Catering Services |
|
| Leading Engineering Technician (Mechanical)
| |
| Marine | Customs and Immigration Officers
|
| Marine | |
| Marine | |
| Marine | |
| Marine | |
| Marine | |
| Master At Arms | Chief of Police & Superintendant of Prisons
Assistant Unit Security Officer
|
| Regulating Petty Officer |
|
| Regulating Petty Officer |
|
| Regulating Petty Officer |
|
| Corporal, Royal Military Police |
|
| Corporal, Royal Air Force Police | Royal Overseas Peace Officers
|
| Lance, Corporal, Royal Marines |
|
| Lance, Corporal, Royal Marines |
|
| Leading Regulator | |
| Leading Regulator | |
| All Rates are Royal Navy unless otherwise stated.
|
| All Royal Marines are part of the Island Security Force.
|
18 March 2008
|
|
300
Not printed, as publicly available. Back
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