Just Because You're Paranoid, Doesn't Mean They Aren't Out To Get You

[liadnan]

Craig Murray, the former British ambassador to Uzbekistan at the centre of the rows over extraordinary rendition and torture, writes as follows. I confess to being somewhat unsure what to make of it, but one can understand why he might smell a rat.

[...]I gave evidence on Tuesday in Strasbourg before the Council of Europe Inquiry into Extraordinary Rendition. My evidence was on the willingness of the CIA to obtain information extracted under torture by foreign intelligence agencies, as the basis of the extraordinary rendition programme. I also provided documentary evidence of British government collusion with the CIA in obtaining torture intelligence.

On return from the Council of Europe, my suitcase has disappeared, including all my documents and notes and my laptop computer.

[...]

On arrival at London City, when my bag did not arrive, I went to the luggage desk to report it. The gentleman there affected surprise, waited for a while for the conveyor to clear, and then was taking down the details, including my name and the baggage check number. I spotted a handwritten piece of paper tucked under the keyboard of his computer - on which was already written my name and baggage check number. I challenged him on this, and he said that he had already received an email telling him my luggage was not on the plane.

[...]

When I returned home, I called the central Air France luggage number, and they told me that my suitcase had been located at Orly and was booked on the 7pm flight into London City. When it did not arrive, I phoned them again. They said that it had not been put on that flight, and was being held at the airport so it could not be rebooked on another flight. They could not tell me why it was being held, or who I might speak to about it.

ETA: the first two commenters both ask the sensible question: why on earth did he check in his laptop. Stupid though it is, I confess I have checked mine in before now, usually because I'm carrying only one bag which is overweight for cabin luggage. But then I don't carry hugely sensitive data on it. Err, um, apart from all the opinions and pleadings stored on it....

Comments

[morgaine-x.livejournal.com]

I'm slightly astonished anyone would put a laptop into checked bagage, especially with what he was carrying on it. I trust he has backups...

[fi.livejournal.com]

Why would anyone put their laptop and sensitive material into checked-in luggage?

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

The planes that fly into London City are generally small and crowded, and the check-in staff often make you comply with the "one piece of hand baggage" rule. Still, at that point you take your laptop out of its case and carry it on in your hands!

Though he is right to be suspicious, I bet it was cock up rather than conspiracy.

[liadnan]

Flybe have had a crack down recently, which cost me 50 quid at Christmas. Gits.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

I'm for conspiracy on this one - but then, I'm sure he's cute enough to have back-ups.

And I'm another one who's guilty of checking in his laptop.

[itchyfidget.livejournal.com]

I would never, ever check in my laptop, but that may be because it's (a) an Apple PowerBook, and therefore too fabulous to trust anyone with, and (b) it's my only computer.

I'm with the conspiracy theorists on this one.

[eccles.livejournal.com]

I've noticed a recent trend for more and more people to travel hand luggage only (myself included). Though while my bag is regulation size lots of people seem to take liberties with what they bring into the cabin. Inevitably there is a delay while people run up and down the cabin looking for somewhere to squash their wheeled monstrosity.

[rparvaaz.livejournal.com]

I am definitely with the conspiracy theorists on this one. The recent European stance on renditions, and the willingness of certain European governments to arrest and interrogate people they suspect of doing the same, I reckon there are plenty of agencies who are trying their best to get their hands on all and any sensitive information against them.

Can't believe that he actually *checked in* such sensitive stuff. And, although he doesn't say, would be even more shocked if it turns out that he had only one copy of the information. You *always* make copies of crucial information, you hide at least one set in a safe place, and the rest are always kept on your person. 'Tis the basic rule of dealing with important information.