US quizzed over its use of Europe's airports

It has long been known that the CIA used European airports to transfer terrorist suspects. But the scale of the operation became clear only after reports last month that some alleged terrorists were also being held in secret prisons somewhere in Europe.

The Spanish government was the first to launch an inquiry into the air movements. Several other European governments have followed its example.

Britain: Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, wrote on behalf of the European Union last week to Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, asking for an explanation. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the CIA was given full access to RAF airfields and allowed to use 19 airports.

Holland: The government has signalled that if the allegations of secret prisons or "black sites" in eastern Europe are true, it will consider withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan.

Spain: Police say at least 10 CIA flights have landed in Spain or used its airspace.

Germany: More than 400 CIA flights are believed to have used German airspace or airports. The Council of Europe is demanding to know by Feb 21 what the government did about it.

Italy: The Italian media say that at least seven secret CIA flights took place between Britain and Italy in the past three years.

Poland: It has denied allegations that it has allowed the US to set up a black site to house suspected terrorists.

Romania: The EU applicant has been told that its entry could be suspended if, as alleged, it allowed the US to set up a secret prison.

The governments of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal and Ireland have launched investigations into reports that private planes acting for the CIA used their airspace and airports.