LONDON, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- The Turkish military let Washington use an air base for its controversial rendition program during the so-called war on terror, leaked U.S. cables reveal.
Cables written in 2006 by U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson state that Turkish military officials let the United States use the Incirlik Air Base as a refueling stop and, according to London's The Guardian newspaper, part of an "extraordinary rendition" program in 2002.
Ross wrote that Ankara withdrew permission to use the base in 2003 but defense officials in Washington were trying to get Turkey to reverse the decision.
"We recommend that you do not raise this issue with (Turkish general staff) pending clarification from Washington on what approach (the national security council) wishes to take," the cable obtained by WikiLeaks and published by The Guardian reads.
A spokesman for the Turkish foreign ministry told reporters in June 2006 after the Ross cable was sent that Ankara "never" played a part in the rendition program.
Amnesty International in November blasted the European Union for not acting against member states over their alleged roles in the secret rendition and detention program spearheaded by the CIA.
The Guardian notes that two secret CIA prisons were uncovered in Lithuania and the Council of Europe blames 14 other countries, including Turkey, for playing a role in the rendition program.
