US cites CIA flight 'mistakes'

The White House acknowledged Thursday that "mistakes were made" in not notifying Britain about two so-called "extraordinary rendition" US flights that refuelled on British soil.

"It's unfortunate mistakes were made in the reporting of the information, but we will continue to have good counter-terrorism cooperation between the United States and United Kingdom," said national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe, who referred follow-up questions to the CIA.

Johndroe spoke as US President George W. Bush paid a brief visit to Liberia at the tail end of a five-country Africa tour that also took him to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ghana.

Britain voiced concern earlier Thursday on being told that two US planes carrying terrorist suspects on "extraordinary rendition" flights had refuelled on British soil, despite earlier US assurances to the contrary.

The Age