But there is a world of difference between knowing it and having an official investigation prove it. If we do have hard proof that the US has been using our airspace illegally and in violation of international law, then it'll be a lot harder to mouth the 'we have informed the Americans of our policies, and since they're our allies, we trust that they'll observe those policies' line (yes, our foreign minister actually says that. Regularly. Shoot me). Since, obviously, you know, they didn't observe our policies with regard to the nature of the use of our airspace.
For that matter, an interesting possibility that some of the newsies mentioned was the fact that Greenland has every right under international law to simply board criminal flights, extract the passengers and send the empty plane on its way with only the pilot in it.
For that matter, simply making sure that official notice is taken of the way the law is broken is bound to do some good.
But yeah, it's entirely possible that I'm whistling in the dark here.
- Jake Ceterum censeo Chicago esse delendam
I dispute the accuracy/usefulness of this statement. My understanding of international law is that only aircraft of a commercial/private, but non-diplomatic, nature can be searched without violation by the receiving State. Maybe some of the USG flights carrying "detainees" have not been designated as diplomatic, but we can't be sure. I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears
BTW, I see that CIA Director Hayden stated today that the CIA has used "waterboarding" on "only" three persons, all just after 9-11, and on no one within the last 5 years. I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears
Even if the CIA director's statement is credible, it only pertains to waterboarding, and to the CIA. There are various other forms of torture that have been legalised in the US since 9/11, and the US has a number of client states that are known to torture prisoners. AFAIK, it makes no legal difference whether the CIA tortures people themselves or hands them over to the Egyptian authorities, because Egypt has an appalling record when it comes to torture.
