Most odd that the UK government didn't know what was happening at Diego Garcia, to my recollection every US Air Base in the UK, has a serving RAF Officer as a commanding officer. I take the same applies for a US Air Base on UK Territory?

Ted Gash, Bicester, UK

Funny how some people hate the Americans until they country is attack and guess who would be the first to look to the good old USA, and cry for help...If you know anything about whats going on in this world, It is the " WORLD" that has made USA the policeman..... Thats why, Trica we should stick togther whether we are wrong or wrong....It has always amused me that the average person knows how to handle world affairs, But a lot of them can't handle their own lives or young children. Remember we only refueled there, We didn't attack you.
GET OVER IT

Tom harman, santa cruz, USA

how many more lies ? ? ?
the people of the uk need to wake up before its too late.
turn off your tv's
and think !

col, leeds,

Come on folks why are we surprised that Tony Blair told lies? He did so throughout time as PM.

George, Glasgow, UK

I don't see this as a big deal at all and would rather have the Americans on our side than lots of the people who criticise them.

David, Poole,

What a complete farce to suggest that neither Ms Rice or the British Prime Minister had no idea about these flights. The Americans could not lie straight in bed and anyone who believes anything that Condoleeza Rice says still believes in Santa Claus.
Iraq, Israel, Iran, Vietnam etc etc - lies lies lies!!
Time that Britain and Australia stood up and regained some dignity when it comes to world affairs.

Clive Kitchin, Port Augusta, South Australia

This "special relationship" with the USA our politicians bleat on about needs to be explained to us. As I see it, the USA do what they like without reference to us. In this case it seems they landed at a British airport. without authority.
Churchill needed the USA in WWII to bail us out - and the USA's terms all but bankrupted the UK. I have a suspicion that Blair dragged the UK unwillingly into Iraq just to have our USA masters throw us a few juicy bones of contracts in the aftermath - it didn't happen, of course. In human terms, this would be considered an abusive and dirty relationship.

BTW, how come Flight Control at a British airport didn't log a bloody great American military plane come in to refuel? Does the government think that if they tell us enough lies we'll start believing them?

Max , London,

I am sure if this government had known about these characters they could have arranged for them to be admitted to the UK as asylum seekers. Then they would have received benefits,job seekers allowance and plenty of time to plot against the citizens of this country.
Why not---eventually Sharia Law will apply according to Britain's leading Christian cleric.They would be in paradise

john, clifton, nottingham UK

To R Bingham, France:
You are simply describing what has happened throughout history, everywhere. But now we have an overlay of fanatics, suicide bombers (and demands for Sharia law): that is not "my way of life".

Neil of Liverpool is right: unfortunately the PC brigade, as he calls them, are appearing and bleating everywhere.

Somewhere there must be a balance - but I don't know where it is or even if it would be achievable when one side refuses to consider compromise: you can work out for yourself which side that is.

Gerry Watts, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

So what, is this any reason to get your knickers in a twist because an allied aircraft lands for re-fueling and fly's on.
Hardly the start of WW3, just the PC brigade getting over excited...do grow up !

Neil, Liverpool, UK

America are our greatest allies in UK, I would rather have their ER flights landing in UK, than suicide bombers.

UK is in danger of distancing itself from its allies, I wish the response from government had been, Yes so what, because I dont like that they are bowing down to pressure groups that put political correctness over our safety.

Clare , St Ives, UK

Gerry Watts, Hobart.

How strange that you believe "our way of life" includes bullying the UN, ignoring international law, illegal invasions of sovereign countries, the suspension of the Constitution, torture, lying to your own people, restricting freedoms, corruption at every level, using "allies" to legitimise agression etc etc etc

May be your way of life but it certainly is not mine.

R Bingham, Lauzun, France

Well,well Tricia, and I thought the Yanks were our allies - you don't seem to think so!
But you are right on Britain's history since WWII, (by the way, do you think the Yanks helped to win that war?), as it has gone downhill fast and no longer seems to have any pride in itself or vision for its future. It seems pleased that it is no longer a manufacturing country but a "services economy": OK, just wait until India (especially) develops even further and faster its services economy, and then see what is left.
I am rarther relieved that at least one country (the US) is trying to preserve our way of life...

Gerry Watts, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

What USA wants, USA gets.

Throughout its history, USA has taken, appropriated, bought, cheated, stolen, colonized, subdued, undermined and lied about. That's why it is powerful. And hated.
Britain's recent history has been to acquiesce, sell out, lie down and collude. That's why we are weak. And despised.

Tricia, E Sussex, uk