U.S. to Address Issue of Secret Prisons

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration acknowledged Tuesday that reports of secret U.S.-run prisons for terrorist suspects have raised an outcry among European allies and said the U.S. would account for its actions.

Without confirming that any CIA detention sites exist in Europe, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the U.S. had not violated its laws or international treaties.

The United States has not answered recent queries about the issue from allies, including Britain and Spain, McCormack said. He said those answers would be forthcoming, along with a response to a letter on behalf of the European Union expected soon.

Concerns about alleged CIA activities in Europe have led to investigations in half a dozen countries.