Prince Harry barred from Iraq

[Collo]

Prince Harry barred from Iraq
Michael Evans, Defence Editor
May 17, 2007

PRINCE Harry has been ordered not to go to Iraq as a troop commander with his Household Cavalry squadron because of specific threats to his life, "some reported and some not reported".
Video: Deployment cancelled
General Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the British Army, who had initially concluded that the Prince should serve with his men for a six-month tour of duty, changed his mind after a visit to Basra last week.

Sources in the Household Cavalry expressed astonishment over the last-minute reversal.

Prince Harry?s men of A Squadron The Blues and Royals have already left for Iraq and were expecting him to join them.

Clarence House admitted that the 22-year-old Prince was ?very disappointed? by the decision but accepted the judgment made by General Dannatt.

?He fully understands and accepts General Dannatt?s difficult decision and remains committed to his army career?, Clarence House said in a statement.

Royal sources said that there was no question of him resigning his commission and leaving the Army.

The Queen and Harry's father, Prince Charles, were informed of General Dannatt?s change of heart but had no part in the decision, the sources said.

British Defence Secretary Des Browne also played no role in the final decision.

Whitehall sources insisted that there was no political involvement.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was an ?operational decision?.

The Ministry of Defence said that Prince Harry would continue to have a ?full and active role in the Army?.

However, it now seems unlikely that he will ever be considered either for Iraq or for Afghanistan, because of General Dannatt?s revised judgment that his presence posed an unacceptable risk to him and to the men serving under him.

In his statement, General Dannatt said: ?I have asked Prince Harry?s commanding officer to continue to develop (his) professional career in the Army, but I am not prepared to speculate, either now or in the future, on what Prince Harry might be doing over the next few weeks or months.?

General Dannatt declared on April 30 that he was satisfied he had made the right decision in February when he announced that Prince Harry would go to Iraq with his troop.

He said that he was aware of the threats made by insurgents against the Prince, but similar threats had been made against all British troops.

However, he kept open the possibility of a last-minute change of mind when he said that he would continue to keep Prince Harry?s position under constant review.

Last week he went to Basra and spoke at length to commanding officers on the ground about the risks of having a member of the Royal Family serving in southern Iraq.

General Dannatt, who is the Chief of the General Staff, acknowledged that Prince Harry would be ?extremely disappointed?. He added: ?His soldiers will miss his leadership.?

He blamed the intense media interest in Prince Harry?s deployment to Iraq as a contributory factor to the extra threat he faced. ?It is a fact that this close scrutiny has exacerbated the situation and this is something that I wish to avoid in future,? he said.

Prince Harry would have been the first member of the Royal Family to be sent to war since the Duke of York served as a helicopter pilot during the 1982 Falklands conflict.

In an interview to mark his 21st birthday, Prince Harry said: ?There?s no way I?m going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country.?




I guess it was bound to happen.

[Observer_1938]

It's a pity really...................Just another point on the scoreboard for terrorism

[Collo]

You can say that again.

[Crusty]

General Sir Richard Dannat, in my opinion, has made the correct decision. It may be a point for terrorism, but it is a bloodless point. If there hadn't been such a media frenzy when the journo tossers published the dates, times, area, unit and even his vehicle on deployment, things would have turned out differently. Unfortunately, the British  Defence Secretary released this sensitive information some months ago. He would, as a bloody civvy with no knowledge of military matters. Politicians share the same trough and sty as journo's

I have my own thoughts on what may happen in the new future, but for opsec reasons, I will not air them here. Suffice to say, I believe that the Prince is a professional officer, and will serve his country to the best of his ability. A warning to anyone who wants to take a poke at me......I'm a confirmed, dyed in the wool, monarchist!!!

[Elwingflys]

Go Crusty!

It is a shame. Officers are always prime targets but put a crown on with the bars and you are really talking PRIME. Advertizing the fact that he was going to be there and all the rest is a *itch. I can see the point in a way as the bad guys would be falling all over themselves to take him out. Heck, just say he ain't going and sneak him in later.

[Collo]

I know what you're thinking Crusty. Like wise I won't mention it.

If you really think of it, one Rupert off the lines won't really make a difference.  This is a win for terrorist haned to them on a silver platter by the media. The world needs a good lesson in OP/PER Sec.

[Elwingflys]

I don't think there is such a thing as secrecy any more. If you don't know it, you just aren't listening to the right channel or using the right keywords in Google.