Intelligence

Merkel urges US to uphold 'democratic principles' in anti-terror war

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Berlin, Dec 6, IRNA
Germany-Chancellor-Rice
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on the United States to adhere to 'democratic principles' in its global anti-terror campaign after news reports surfaced about controversial CIA acts in Europe.

"There has to be a balance between the determined fight against those who threaten freedom and the selection of means which have to correspond with legal principles," Merkel said during a joint news conference with visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Berlin on Tuesday.

She added the US has also to abide by legal principles.

Merkel said Rice admitted in her talks that the CIA was involved in the kidnapping of Khaled al-Masri who was abducted in Macedonia in late 2003 and flown to a secret CIA prison in Afghanistan.

"The case of Masri was accepted by the US as a mistake," said Merkel who faces intense German public pressure over the issue.

Rice arrived in Berlin late Monday evening for talks with Merkel and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Merkel has made closer ties with the US a top foreign policy priority after bilateral relations deteriorated to a post-World War II low point as a result of Berlin's refusal to back the US war in Iraq.

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