In the February 10, 2010 article British Government To Release CIA FOIA Documents the Judiciary Report pointed out how unwise it would be for America to severe ties with Britain, as former President George W. threatened, if Freedom of information Act documents in London, England about his CIA rendition and torture program, were made public. The article pointed out the usefulness of MI5 and MI6 to America, in the area of intelligence sharing.
The next day, on February 11, 2010, the C.I.A. released a statement, wisely renewing ties with America's top ally, Britain, mentioning their desire to continue working with MI5 and MI6.
"Gary Berntsen, a former CIA officer who served in the Middle East, said: "The relationship between us and the British is probably the strongest relationship in the world. Neither intelligence service would like the judicial system interfering. The people of the US and especially the officers in the agency are grateful for the UK, grateful for our colleagues in MI5 and MI6. These relationships, they have saved Americans on many, many occasions."
It's about time someone woke up and smelled the Semtex, as Bush's threats were insane and not in America's best interest. Why alienate allies.
When one thinks of how former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, essentially wrecked his political career to side with Bush during the Iraq war, whose conduct as President amounted to nothing but treason, tyranny, lies and villainy against the U.S. Constitution and democracy on the whole, his threats against Britain were particularly abusive and ungrateful.
MI5 chief denies cover-up claims over detainees
Friday 12 February 2010 08.22 GMT - The head of MI5 last night issued a strong defence of the Security Service, denying that his staff had withheld documents relating to Binyam Mohamed from the parliamentary intelligence and security committee (ISC) or had sought to cover up its involvement in the torture of detainees.
The director general, Jonathan Evans, said that claims by the Master of the Rolls, Lord Neuberger, that there was a "culture of suppression" within the service were "the precise opposite of the truth"...
His defence came as US officials last night played down claims that the appeal court's disclosure of CIA information passed to MI5 will damage intelligence-sharing with Britain, as fresh doubts emerged about the accuracy of information given to MPs.
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the court decision would not provoke a broad review of intelligence liaison between Britain and the US, because the need for close co-operation was greater now than ever.
Gary Berntsen, a former CIA officer who served in the Middle East, said: "The relationship between us and the British is probably the strongest relationship in the world. Neither intelligence service would like the judicial system interfering. The people of the US and especially the officers in the agency are grateful for the UK, grateful for our colleagues in MI5 and MI6. These relationships, they have saved Americans on many, many occasions."
White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said the US was "deeply disappointed" in the court judgment. "We shared this information in confidence and with certain expectations," he said...
