BERLIN — As new questions arose in Europe over U.S. treatment of suspected militants, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday that those combating terrorism must "find a balance" that does not violate individual rights and international law.
The chancellor's comments came as Rice began a European trip engulfed by criticism of the U.S. over reports that CIA planes used airports on the continent as stopovers while transporting prisoners to secret interrogation sites, some reportedly operated in Eastern Europe.
The matter has been particularly sensitive in Berlin, coming amid accusations that U.S. intelligence operatives mistakenly abducted a German national of Lebanese descent in December 2003 and held him for five months. Rice would not directly comment on the detention of Khaled Masri, but she said during a news conference with Merkel that "any policy will sometimes result in errors, and when it does we will do everything we can to rectify them."
Masri filed a lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in northern Virginia against former CIA Director George J. Tenet. The suit, which also names the owners of the plane that allegedly transported Masri, charges that the 42-year-old car salesman was subjected to "torture and other cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment."
Standing together in the chancellery, Merkel and Rice sought to strengthen German-American relations that were damaged by former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's fervent opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Merkel stressed the transatlantic partnership and the cooperation of intelligence services. But facing pressure from leftists in her fragile coalition government, the new chancellor said international law must be respected in dealing with alleged terrorists.
"We have to fight the challenges of the 21st century," said Merkel, referring to terrorism. "We, at the same time, have to see to it that we seek the right means ... that allow us to stay in line with the legal system and the laws in which we believe."
Intelligence agencies need latitude to do their jobs, she said. But she added, "I think the essential is that we have to adhere to the rules in each case."
Echoing statements she made Monday, Rice said the U.S. follows international law and "does not condone torture." She added that any debate on the arrests and interrogations of terrorism suspects "must have a healthy respect for the challenges we face when we face an enemy that operates from within our societies and that is intent" on killing civilians.
