Steinmeier on Al-Masri Case and CIA Flights

BILD: A German national is kidnapped by the CIA abroad and illegally transferred to Afghanistan for interrogation – the German government of the day is informed about the case. Why did the government at that time remain tenaciously silent on this issue?

Frank-Walter Steinmeier: The Federal Chancellery learned of the case in June 2004, a few days after Al-Masri's return, from a letter written by his lawyer. We passed the information on to the relevant authorities. Shortly after that state's attorneys began their investigation. This is the normal procedure in a country guided by the rule of law.

Former Interior Minister Schily was even informed in advance by the United States, but failed to pass the information on. Is a minister allowed to keep such information secret?

The Interior Minister, too, was evidently not informed about the case until Al-Masri was already back in Germany. At that stage there was nothing more he could do to prevent the kidnapping, but merely to clarify it. This is also the purpose of the investigation.

German authorities are thought to have been partly responsible for the kidnapping.

This anonymous accusation that German officials were involved in Al-Masri's kidnapping is outrageous and irresponsible. Our authorities' actions are bound by German law.

In the Al-Masri case, did the United States keep within applicable laws or was the action illegal?

As a matter of principle our laws apply in Germany and to German nationals, as do regulations of international law such as human rights. Those who violate them are acting illegally. In addition, US Secretary of State Rice clearly stated during her visit to Berlin that the United States is prepared to rectify errors.

The CIA carried out hundreds of covert detainee flights over Germany. Will such secret flights continue to occur in future?

Currently an investigation is taking place at European level to determine whether and how often such flights occurred. According to international regulations foreign aircraft may fly across German airspace or land in transit. However, it is also clear that German law applies in German airspace. But as long as we have no evidence that German law is violated, we cannot deny anyone the right to overfly our country.

After only three weeks in office you are already facing initial calls to resign – how do you feel about this?

This job is no walk in the park, but I knew this beforehand. What really annoys me are the politicians who make accusations without the slightest knowledge of the matter. They're not interested in clarification, just in the cheapest form of polemics! One thing is and will remain clear: To accuse the present – or indeed the previous – Federal Government, directly or indirectly, of supporting human-rights violations is disgraceful!

Are you sure you will survive this affair still in office?

I have upheld the law in making my decisions, so this question is irrelevant. And as for calls to resign made by an opposition politician – this is what you have to live with as a minister!

December 16, 2005

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