VOA常速英语2008年-Britain Reveals US Used British Territory for R

By Sonja Pace
London
21 February 2008

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband has revealed that the United States used the British territory of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to transport terrorism suspects in 2002. VOA's Sonja Pace has details from London.

Speaking before parliament on Thursday, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the United States recently informed Britain that two planes, each carrying a terror suspect, landed and refueled at an American base on the island of Diego Garcia.

"Contrary to earlier explicit¹ assurances, that Diego Garcia had not been used for rendition flights, U.S. investigations² have now revealed two occasions, both in 2002, when this had in fact occurred," he said.

The U.S. has admitted using the practice of "rendition" to secretly transport terror suspects outside normal extradition³ proceedings⁴. Washington had previously⁵ assured Britain that British airspace or airports had not been used for rendition flights.

Miliband said he discussed the latest revelations with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"We both agree that the mistakes made in these two cases are not acceptable, and she shares my deep regret that this information has only just come to light," he added.

Speaking at a news conference during a visit to Brussels, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the new revelations about U.S. rendition flights are a "very serious" issue.

"We have just been informed by the United States of America about what has actually happened," he said.  "The United States has expressed regret for us not knowing about these issues.  We share the disappointment that everybody has about what has actually happened."

Mr. Brown said it is important to put in place procedures to ensure this never happens again.

The practice of rendition has been widely criticized, including by human rights groups who say the CIA snatched terror suspects and then transported them for interrogation to secret prisons in Europe or to countries where they faced possible torture.

1 explicit   

adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的

参考例句：

• She was quite explicit about why she left.她对自己离去的原因直言不讳。
• He avoids the explicit answer to us.他避免给我们明确的回答。

2 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

3 extradition   

n.引渡（逃犯）

参考例句：

• The smuggler is in prison tonight,awaiting extradition to Britain.这名走私犯今晚在监狱，等待引渡到英国。
• He began to trouble concerning the extradition laws.他开始费尽心思地去想关于引渡法的问题。

4 proceedings   

n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼

5 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。