CIA prisoner airplane lands in Iceland

[donsu]

http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=40764&ew_0_a_id=257286


A CIA airplane, which has the registration number N196D and is listed at the European Parliament and at Amnesty International for having illegally transferred prisoners, landed in Iceland on Sunday.

According to Norwegian news website aftenbladet.no the airplane landed first in Stavanger, Norway, to refuel before lifting off again and heading towards Keflavík, the international airport in Iceland. Fréttabladid reports.

It is proven that the N196D airplane has transferred prisoners for the American secret service CIA in the past as part of the Bush administration’s “extraordinary rendition” program. The airplane’s operations are considered a violation of European laws.

According to Fréttabladid, it is not known whether the airplane was transferring prisoners on Sunday or where it was headed after leaving Keflavík.
----------------------------


when are we going to stop the criminal neo cons?

why did Iceland allow this?

how much of Iceland is still ice?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. don't we have a military air base there?

[havocmom]

3. Hmm, maybe, maybe not.

http://www.google.com/search?q=US+military+bases+in+Iceland&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

and pertaining to the particular base in question: news of US pullout in fall of 06
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/assignments/a/iceland.htm

Do the neo-Spooks need to clear out regular military so they can have the facilities to themselves?

[madokie]

6. good thinking

[havocmom]

17. And think of the $$ the neo-spooks save by not having to build their own facilities!

Bet that gives them a whole lot more dough from their budget to use on black ops.

[AndyA]

2. Bush doesn't need to abide by European laws.

He's The Decider. What he says goes. And if you don't like it, he'll use his mighty military to deal with you.

Oops, I guess I should have said, "tired, overworked, once mighty military"... :eyes:

[Marie26]

4. Coming from where?

Norway to Iceland means it must have been coming from across the Atlantic - the US. Why would they be transporting prisoners out of the US? I wonder if they're transferring prisoners to the secret CIA torture gulags in Eastern Europe so that Democrats won't find out about them.

Any sky-watchers out there: this is the FAA registry of that plane. (I love Google!) It's actually registered in North Carolina, under Devon Holding & Leasing, Inc. James K. Kershaw is listed as the President of the organization. But the address is just for a local attorney.

FAA registry - http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNumSQL.asp?NNumbertxt=196D

Corp listing - http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Corp.aspx?PitemId=4720749

[mmonk]

5. Thanks for that.

I like to know when these war crimes are aided and abetted by NC businessmen.

[Marie26]

7. It's starting to look like

they actually fly out of North Carolina. Otherwise, why else would they bother incorporating in a little NC town? It makes me a little sick that this is happening right in my backyard.

Toronto Star - December 4, 2005

"The New York Times reported last spring that the CIA owns at least 26 planes, 10 of them purchased since 2001.

The newspaper said the CIA has tried to conceal its ownership by setting up seven shell corporations that have no employees but are registered owners of the aircraft.

Many of the flights, the Times said, fly out of a tiny airstrip in Johnston County, N.C., sometimes stopping at Washington's Dulles Airport to pick up CIA agents.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2005/051204-ghost-flights.htm

Can't the state at least revoke the corporate charter?

[mmonk]

16. I know people picketted

that air field and were arrested.

[Elwood P Dowd]

8. From Norway to Iceland means they're heading back to the US

What is it, about 4 hours from Iceland to New York?

[Marie26]

9. Got no idea

But it's heading east, right? That's why I thought the plane must be coming from the west. Wherever it's coming from, they're up to no good.

[Elwood P Dowd]

10. It's going west from Norway to Iceland

Iceland is close to Greenland and not that far from North America.

[Marie26]

12. I think you're right.

Sorry, typical geography-impaired American.

[Elwood P Dowd]

15. You will have to stay after class

and spell Reykjavik 1,000 times!

[Bjornsdotter]

11. Yes

It's about 4 hours.

Cheers

[mmonk]

13. Actually, they lease aircraft.

[RaleighNCDUer]

14. NC registration?

Would that suggest a Blackwater connection?

[donsu]

19. bingo

nt

[Marie26]

21. That's what I was wondering.

But IMO that isn't it. It seems like the owner is some CIA contractor named "AERO CONTRACTORS". The EU Parliament formed a committee to investigate these torture flights, and the report has some great info (that you'll never see in the US press.)

"AERO CONTRACTORS, LTD. (NORTH CAROLINA)

Aero Contractors was funded in 1979 by Jim Rhyne, ex pilot of the Air America, a company used by CIA during the Vietnam war. Aero Contractors’ pilots, according to the New York Times “are the discreet bus drivers of the battle against terrorism, routinely sent on secret missions to Baghdad, Cairo, Tashkent and Kabul”. The New York Times adds: “Aero Contractors is in fact a major domestic hub of the Central Intelligence Agency's secret air service”. Indeed, according to FAA records, Aero Contractors leases its planes from Premier Executive Transport (shell company), namely Boeing 737 (N 4476S, ex N313P). Aero Contractor has no web site and does not advertise its activities. All the resources come from the CIA, from the US Army and other Government agencies. However, Aero Contractors remains a real company, with premises and eighty employees.

Aero Contractors is the operating company of the following shell companies: STEVENS EXPRESS LEASING, INC, PREMIER EXECUTIVE TRANSPORT SERVICE, AVIATION SPECIALTIES, INC, DEVON HOLDING AND LEASING, INC, PEGASUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Pegasus Technologies works on the avionics (aviation electronics), on sensor, and electrical systems of the CIA planes. This presumably includes top-secret encrypted-communications systems and night-vision systems."

However, Blackwater USA also operates "torture flights", the only difference is, there's no shell corporation:

"Among the 51 airplanes alleged to be used by CIA: ... 10 are designed as "CIA frequent flyers", they belong to Blackwater USA, an important CIA and US Army "classified contractor". It provides staff, training and aviation logistic. In this case there is no intermediation of shell companies."

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/dt/617/617722/617722en.pdf

So, North Carolina has two companies that conduct torture flights for the CIA. I guess they've found the next boom industry for the state.

[RaleighNCDUer]

24. That's my state!

Always looking to the future!

[mmonk]

25. That's them

[Marie26]

27. NC lawmakers want probe of CIA flights

It looks like NC legislators are now demanding some answers about these torture flights.

NC lawmakers want SBI to probe alleged CIA flights

AP - Nearly two dozen state lawmakers are urging Attorney General Roy Cooper to investigate whether a North Carolina company provided planes to the CIA to shuttle terrorism suspects to countries where they may have been tortured.

The 22 lawmakers, all Democrats, who signed a letter sent to Cooper and the State Bureau of Investigation urge an investigation into "credible allegations that Aero Contractors conspired to commit federal crimes," according to a copy of the letter provided by advocacy group Stop Torture Now.

In October, SBI Director Robin Pendergraft declined a request from 12 lawmakers to investigate whether Aero Contractors violated federal laws prohibiting torture as a form of interrogation, saying the matter didn't fall under SBI jurisdiction. In her response, Pendergraft said she shared the lawmakers' letter with the FBI.

"In short, we are deeply concerned by the SBI's unwillingness to investigate a North Carolina company's alleged involvement in a conspiracy to support the kidnap and torture of individuals," the lawmakers wrote. "We hope you will direct the SBI to begin an investigation of Aero Contractors' actions."

http://www.fayobserver.com/article_ap?id=98681
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=170x8543

[Swamp Rat]

18. Iceland is West by Northwest of Norway, so they would be on their way TO the US, not

coming from it. Nevertheless, if that is a preferred route, then it is likely they make the trip in the reverse as well. Just nitpicking. :D :hi:

[Marie26]

22. Sorry, sorry.

:hi: How's Spain? Quisiera que podria estar alla!

[Marie26]

26. James Kershaw

Hmmm. Wonder if this is the same guy.

Equitorial Guinea
History
In March 2004, Obiang announced that there was a complex plot to overthrow him that involved the intelligence services of the United States, the United Kingdom and Spain. Shortly after 15 people were arrested in Equatorial Guinea in connection with a possible coup attempt, an airplane landed in Harare, Zimbabwe and was promptly detained by authorities. <1>

The aircraft was carrying armed mercenaries who were heading to Equatorial Guinea with the aim of toppling Obiang's government. President Obiang charges that various Western governments wanted to install the head of Equatorial Guinea's government-in-exile, Severo Moto Nsá, as president. <1>

Links have been discovered between senior American military officials and the failed coup plot in Equatorial Guinea that has left Sir Mark Thatcher facing trial in South Africa. Theresa Whelan, a member of the Bush administration in charge of African affairs at the Pentagon, twice met a London-based businessman, Greg Wales, in Washington before the coup attempt. Mr Wales has been accused of being one of its organisers, but has denied any involvement. <2> (http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1313571,00.html)

The South African police recovered a list of the financiers (the "wonga list"). Among the names found on the list are: <3> (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=qw109377972341E250)

James Kershaw
The 24-year-old South African computer expert and alleged coup accountant reportedly handed the so-called "Wonga list" -- of wealthy individuals who bankrolled the coup plot -- to South African authorities. "

http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/index.php/Equatorial_Guinea

Aero Contractors also operates in Equatorial Guinea. The coup was backed by influential leaders who wanted access to Guinea's untapped oil reserves. Interestingly, the organizer of the coup attempt had already booked tickets for Dallas, TX when British police arrested him. This blogger speculates that George Bush might be on that "Wonga List" - his oil company had invested $5 Billion in Guinea.

http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/002503.php

"A key witness in the Scorpion investigation may be James Kershaw, described as Mann's right-hand man. Kershaw, a computer expert in his late twenties, is believed to have played a central role in recruiting mercenaries, buying arms and ammunition and collecting money from "investors".

Kershaw is believed to be in possession of "the Wonga List" - details of rich and influential people who allegedly bankrolled the coup attempt.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20040827125607173C556618

Wow - coups, merceneries, torture, they do it all. Aero Contractors are apparantly the go-to guys for CIA black-ops. I just love how you only have to scratch the surface to find a deep well of corruption and criminality w/this Administration.

[magellan]

20. From what I'm reading, the Icelandic gov't was much aggrieved by the base closure

They considered it an insult after being part of "the coalition of the willing".

The NATO base at Keflavik included Iceland's major airport; it's all been turned over now. But it seems the Icelandic gov't is still a part of the "coalition of the willing" and letting these rendition flights land and refuel.

[peacetalksforall]

23. It's obvious that when we went out soliciting for coalition partners,

some didn't give soldiers - but THEY SURE AS HECK GAVE PERMISSION TO TORTURE by allowing these planes to land on their soil - as part of their contribution to the PNAC/Baron war on terror.

[NNN0LHI]

28. Very obvious n/t