Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Is there any evidence that any attempt on Harry would be anything other than opportunistic? All there is at the moment is wild claims about having informants in bases and having a special squad to kidnap him, please, if these are what his deployment is based on then we might as well disband the army and hide under our beds forevermore, I wonder how the army view these claims?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

They've specifically said they plan to kidnap him.
Given that he's being allowed to go (last I heard anyway) the MoD don't believe the threat to be too great.

What I was trying to get across to ginge51 is that unlike most soldiers, there have been specific threats against Harry, and as such he is different from most soldiers, so the MoD would have to assess the risk before allowing him to go there.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

We said they had weapons of mass destruction, doesn't mean they did, talks cheap, although in this 24 hour media world such claims will be beamed around the world no matter how wild, so I surpose they fill the terrorists purpose, that said I agree with you and have said all along he shouldn't go, at best his presence will put others at risk, at worst we'll see his beheading on YouTube

You know it surprises me there haven't been more attempted kidnappings or even taking the bodies of dead soldiers, when you look at the effort America has gone to (and rightly so I add) recover those three, surely those thousands of troops looking for them have been taken of duties elsewhere or having their rest times cut at least, that's not even taking into account the impact it's having on the American public

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I'd guess it's related to the disorganised form of the insurgency.
Small cells that are loosly linked in beliefs and name, but no real structure or guidence.
IED's like most mines are oppertunistic in nature, they rely on your target being in the right place and the right time, and driving over the damn things. If the insurgency was united in actuallity rather than in just a cause, then they could get organised and start making well thought out attacks.
The other thing is, didn't we kill the guy who was promoting beheadings and kidnappings much to the annoyance of other insurgance leaders as it was costing them muslim support in the middle east?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Well, he isn't going now

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6663053.stm

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Not even that, considering that Harry would have been going to the South, where he's about as likely to bump into al-Qaeda as he is to ride into town on the back of Barney the Purple Dinosaur.

Remember there isn't an 'insurgency' as such, there's a small but unpleasant bunch of mainly foreign Sunni fighters who call themselves al-Qaeda, a larger Sunni bunch who are weed off about losing power and being ignored and several Shia groups, mainly linked to legitimate political parties in Iraq, and in a number of cases Iran. It's these latter guys that are killing our troops in larger and larger numbers, which, since they're the guys we're supposed to be *helping*, is the dirty little secret. After all, if Harry got blown up by a group allied to the Iraqi Prime Minister, that might just reveal that things aren't quite 'Us Versus The Terrorists'. Given that, it's unsurprising that he's being kept on a leash.

Of course, if it was a group allied to *Iran* that got him, what would be the result there? That would be a *really* hard decision (think about it).

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Well, fuel prices would go up, so I guess rather than keeping my 2.1TD, I'd stick with my 1.9TD and run it on veg...
Tough choice though, as you say ;)

At least if he doesn't go, we won't have Zee on here claiming he's raping Iraqi women.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

For my 2c -

Harry should not go to Iraq, not because he is a royal, but because the media have already said (and it is a matter of public knowledge) which unit and which area he is likely to serve in.
This means that the insurgents will target him specifically (and in fact the British Intelligence units have already detected specific threats/plans to attack him and his unit) and that would put those serving under him under even more of a threat than they would be normally.

I expect that he is actually gutted not to go - there is no feeling worse than being left behind when the men you lead/know/trust are going into action, except perhaps the feeling that men have died specifically because you are there.

If I was serving with this unit, I would be feeling a mix of relief (one less reason to get shot at) and sadness (getting a squadron leader we do not know or trust).

This may have been said before - but I thought it worth stating an opinion as one who who has been to where they are going.

---------- Post added at 17:23 ---------- Previous post was at 17:17 ----------

Sorry BB - have to disagree a bit on this one -

The insurgents from further North have already been quoted as saying that they would love to get at Harry - this would increase the risk in our zone (which, despite recent events is still a damn site safer than the US area of control) and put not just his unit, but all UK forces under increased threat.

Depending on your opinion - Al-Qaeda is either non-existant, a kind of "rent a terrorist" organisation, or came into true being post 9/11 - to most, it is a rallying call for anti-western fighters of any faith (we caught a number of non-muslim insurgents in Iraq).

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

They've been quoted as saying a lot of old rubbish, as you know this is an area where hyperbole and propaganda are the norm. I still think (and the BBC's defence correspondent was on the radio earlier saying much the same) that it's not the local al Qaeda franchise up North that prompted this decision, but the extent of Iranian influence in local militia, who know the area, don't have to watch their backs quite as much as an AQ cell trying to operate in the South and who have seen the mess we made of the RN/RM capture the other month. The consequences of being faced suddenly with a choice of either starting something with Iran (impossible) or letting the killing/capture of a royal go unpunished (unthinkable) must be the reason behind this. In many ways that's worse than if an AQ franchise got him, since that would be easier to spin - after all they're the official bad guys.

[by al-Qaeda I mean Sunni groups with substantial external influence from Saudi, Chechen, Pakistani etc. radical Sunni groups - whether they're directly run by bin Laden (unlikely) or are largely autonomous (likely) is irrelevant here - the Iranians or their local proxies will shoot them on sight if they rock up in Basra. The real issue is the local militia groups who see us as getting in the way of control over the massive amounts of oil smuggling out of Basra and want us out of the way. The risk to UK troops is increasing all the time whether or not Harry goes out there. It's worth keeping an eye on shenanigans in the Basra government and the main Shia factions, just to keep your knowledge of who they all are up to date].

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I agree that the risk is increasing, and that the militia groups are an issue, however the militia groups also know that they only have limited resources to stop other groups coming in - and the chance of snagging a royal with such a high profile would be irresistible to most of the other groups, thereby giving them a further headache in terms of keeping control of their areas.

I also believe that the <alleged> links to Iran are an issue, however this is not the first time a high profile soldier was kept from the front line, merely the first time it has been done with so much press coverage.

Had the press not been printing every word and movement made on this issue, I honestly believe that he would have gone. I also honestly believe (and I have met a couple of the officers on his course) that he not only felt that he would go, he felt that it was his duty to go and was keen to do the job for which he had been trained.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

he would be better off in the boy scouts, at least he would get going to camp every year.:disturbd:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

you are spot on :tu:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Apart from the fact that the Royal Family have a history of serving their country at times of war.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Harry shouldn't go to Iraq, not because he's a "royal" but because he's a big frikkin target.

Not only does it put his life in danger unnecessarily but it also put the life of his colleagues in danger too.

I appreciate that he wanted to go and good on him for it but its an unnecessary risk especially as the press will constantly circle him like vultures.

And what if he did die, its a HUGE coo for the insurgents, people start asking questions, the press have a field day selling loads of papers etc... And all the two faced idiots who wanted him to go in the first place start to attack the Army for letting him get killed, calling for enquiries, looking for scapegoats.

Forget it, crazy idea - this isnt like "other" wars.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

:tu:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Turns out he went to Afganistan and has been out there for months

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7269743.stm

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Technically he's not in Iraq

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7269743.stm

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I will await with baited breath the retorts from all the "he won't be going so he don't get hurt the royal family will see to that" brigade.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I couldn't give two beeps if he get's blown up tbh.
Save us taxpayers money in the long run.
They get money handed to for absolutly doing nothing to merit it.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

He is a serving member of the armed forces, does a lot for charity and you do what ginge ???.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I work mate, that's what i do.
Ok he does"very little" charity work.
Is that worth the millions of pounds he gets?
I think not.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Yeah because serving in the armed forces is not work is it ginge :rolleyes:.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Sorry to bring facts into this, ginge, but Harry isn't on the Civil List - he is not funded by the taxpayer.
PrinceOfWales Page 6

In addition to paying for The Prince of Wales’s offi cial duties, charitable activities and his income tax liability, the income from the Duchy of Cornwall is used to meet personal expenditure for The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince William and Prince Harry.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I didn't vote, cos the "I don't give a damn, he can go to hell for all I care!" option wasn't there.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

What is people's problem with him ffs cause his dad is rich he has a title and he has money stop being such blo**y hypocrites if you had it you would probably be worse then him stop kidding yourself.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

You have the nerve to use the British Flag as an avatar whilst slagging of the grandson of our head of state for doing what you won't do?What hypocrisy.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Seems to be par for the course Incog they love the flag but wouldn't do anything in support of it.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Incog & Rizzy, you have all the answers. Please carry on assuming. :dozey:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Then tell me what your problem is then i will know won't i ???.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Now you want me to satisfy your selfish curiosity... Too late, I'm not going to waste my time. I'll leave you both to carry on with your insulting assumptions.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Yeah ok if you say so.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Well with an avatar like that, looks to me like either punk, skinhead or grunge and all 3 are anti establishment, maybe that's the reasoning behind the comments.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

lol, tell me about it.

all the royal family can sod off to be honest.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Harry's been labelled a 'bullet magnet' (although I'm not sure if bullets are affected by magnetic forces) - can't the MOD capitalise on that.

If Harry is in Iraq, and all the insurgents are going after Harry, can't the rest of the armed forces wait and ambush them?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Full of innuendo headline on the front page of the Sun today..... Harry Back In Chelsea, with a big picture of Harry and Chelsea underneath.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

he was giving chelsea one?? :erm:

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

who cares what have they ever done that benefited you.

There just images thats all they are.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

you bet he is.:D

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

If you don't like the royal family fair enough but give proper reasons not generalisations. End of the day he has done something the vast majority of people in the UK won't do because they are too idle, too comfortable, look down their nose at the army as a career (till they want them around) or simply don't have the guts to go do it when you do something other then spout off i might listen, till then your a bigger waste of space then you say the royals are.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

i like none of the elite bloodlines, there purpose here is negative.

Hes just unlucky hes been brought into this web of destruction, diana would probably be turning in her grave if she knew.

she was a great lady innocently murdered by this family n the people who they are affiliated with.

Its great to see a guy like Alfayed who owns house of fraiser, the ritz and harrods is actually going up against these people n letting the truth be known hes not an idiot. A guy with more than anyone on this forum who clearly has got a clever mentality for business, and has seen his son murdered with a pathetic explanation that hes looked into.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Is there any conspiracy theory that you don't believe hook line and sinker?

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

lol alfayed doesnt own house of fraiser or the ritz!
ritz paris maybe but not the one in london.
Seeing as you love to research so much and read books etc. Can i suggest you have a look at alfayed's webiste. Its not really difficult to find but ive attatched a link for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.alfayed.com/business%20interests.aspx

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

i am p..... off listening about harry he is supposed to be a soldier why shouldnt he be sent to iraq,

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

"she was a great lady innocently murdered by this family n the people who they are affiliated with" ooook i think i now understand (walks back slowly) i will now let you get on with your life of medication taking.

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

Lead isn't, but sometimes steel is used as a "full metal jacket" (brilliant film, by the way).

Re: Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?
 

I used to have to support the servers which host that site...

It's been covered several times, but lets go again :)

1. He was sent to a warzone, not Iraq but Afghanistan
2. He was there until some scrote of a yank decided to make some more money and breach the media blackout.
3. Taliban forces have made it clear that if he was sent into their area, they would expend all required resources to capture and behead him. This would make the lives of other soldiers in the same area (not just his group) much more dangerous due to the influx of fighters. This is what's known as a "very bad thing"
4. The MoD (despite appearances) has a duty of care towards it's soldiers to not put them in unnecessary danger (please, stop laughing), and as such was able to use this as an excuse to try and not be responsible for the death of the 3rd heir to the throne.