Interview with Timofey Bordachov

Timofey Bordachov is Deputy Editor of the “Russia in Global Affairs” magazine.  He told RT more about Wednesday's PACE session to discuss alleged CIA secret prisons.

Russia Today: Allegations about secret CIA-run prisons in Europe has reached the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).  What's the reaction likely to be?

T.B.: I think the reaction will be quite active, and the Parliamentary Assembly will debate it very thoroughly. In fact, this is a natural place to discuss this sort of issue, because PACE is actually about human rights and freedoms. And above that, the European Union, which is the main political player in Europea, doesn’t have a legal competence to act in this field and doesn’t have the authority to punish or censure any of its members directly.

RT: If the investigation goes further and deeper, is it likely that the secret services of some European countries will compromised because of possible links to the CIA?

T.B.: Indeed I think so, especially some of them. Certain names have already been mentioned, like Poland and Romania.  And I think that the United Kingdom is very likely to become a target of serious criticism. But I think that Poland in particular [will be criticised], given Warsaw's behaviour during the recent EU summit.  Many of Poland's partners in Western Europe can use the human rights issue and the mechanisms of the Parliamentary Assembly to ask awkward questions of Warsaw. 

RT: We know that another important issue – anti-Semitism in Europe – is due to be highlighted at today's session. What do you think the Russian delegation will say on that issue?

T.B.: I think that this particular issue is one in which Russia can say many things, because Russia – unlike many European countries – doesn’t have a long tradition of national anti-semitism.  And Russia – unlike some of our Western European partners -  is not a country which has done anything seriously damaging to the Jewish race in the past. So Russia has more room for manoeuvre in this field, and Russia's voice will be listened to.