according to which, in carrying out the extraordinary rendition programme, whose existence he confirmed, the sovereignty of the countries concerned had always been fully respected; notes that this remark was subsequently confirmed at the meeting with the Temporary Committee delegation which visited Washington; 11. Thanks the former CIA agents who agreed to cooperate with the Temporary Committee, particularly at certain confidential meetings at which they confirmed that the extraordinary rendition programme had already begun during the 1990s; 12. Welcomes the announcement by the new majority established by the elections to the US Senate that it will investigate the CIA's extraordinary rendition programme; notes that this is further confirmation of the relevance of the work of the Temporary Committee; 13. Denounces the lack of cooperation of many Member States, and of the Council of the European Union towards the Temporary Committee; stresses that the behaviour of Member States, and in particular the Council and its Presidencies, has fallen far below the standard that Parliament is entitled to expect; 14. Believes that the serious lack of concrete answers to the questions raised by victims, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the media and parliamentarians has only strengthened the validity of already well-documented allegations; 15. Stresses the serious and rigorous work undertaken by the judicial authorities of Italy, Germany and Spain concerning the allegations which fall within the remit of the Temporary Committee, and invites the judicial authorities in other Member States to act similarly on the basis of the substantial information made available by the Temporary Committee; 16. Encourages the national parliaments of European countries to continue or launch thorough investigations, in the ways they consider most appropriate and efficient, into these allegations, including by setting up parliamentary committees of inquiry; 17. Pays tribute to the world press, in particular the US journalists who were the first to disclose the abuses and breaches of human rights related to extraordinary rendition, thus demonstrating the great democratic tradition of the US press; also recognises the efforts and good work undertaken by several NGOs on these matters, in particular Statewatch, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch; 18. Recognises that some information in this report, including the existence of secret CIA prisons, comes from official or unofficial US sources, demonstrating the vitality and self-policing inherent in the US democracy; 19. Expresses its profound gratitude to all victims who had the courage to share their very traumatic experiences with the Temporary Committee; 20. Calls on all European countries to refrain from taking any action against officials, former officials, journalists or others who, by providing testimony or other information, either to the Temporary Committee or to other investigating bodies, have helped shed light on the system of extraordinary rendition, illegal detention and the transportation of terrorism suspects; 21. Reiterates its call on the Council, as expressed in its resolution of 6 July 2006, to adopt a RR\382246XM.doc 7/77 PE 382.246v02-00 XM