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| Iraq-Jordan |
| BBC: UK Gen. cites Media contribution to attacks in Iraq |
| 2004-12-22 |
| The UK's most senior military officer has blamed media coverage on the Black Watch redeployment for attacks which claimed several soldiers' lives. Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Michael Walker said the media's coverage may have prompted Iraqi insurgents to attack the soldiers. He told BBC Two's Newsnight programme attacks were "enhanced" by reports. Five members of the 850-strong battlegroup died during attacks when they moved closer to Baghdad. "The contribution towards the initial attacks against the Black Watch was certainly enhanced by, if you like, a media picture that was being laid across a number of channels in all sorts of places," he said. The reports meant "there could well have been a response by those who wished us ill to go and meet us with something like a bomb", he said. Most of the attacks on the Black Watch happened during the early stages of their redeployment from Basra to near the Iraqi capital, where they relieved US forces preparing for an attack on the city of Falluja. Black Watch troops have now returned to Basra They included roadside bombs as well as mortar and small arms attacks on their base at Camp Dogwood. Gen Walker said: "Certainly the attacks against the Black Watch happened at that stage. "I'm certain, too, that the media coverage would have made it easier for anybody who wanted to conduct those attacks to do so." |
| Posted by:Mrs. Davis |
| #2 ZF, There's a BIG difference between Softly,Softly, and Quietly, Quietly. If I was going to the Eastern Highlands of Rhumbabwe, I sure would not want it broadcast before the event. |
| Posted by: Rhodesiafever 2004-12-22 7:04:34 PM |
| #1 Article: Five members of the 850-strong battlegroup died during attacks when they moved closer to Baghdad. So much for the allegedly superior British softly-softly approach, as compared to the so-called cowboy approach of American units. I understand British forces get into the PR game as much as anyone else, but it would be nice to not insult one's allies while going about it. (Although I have to say that as long as they're in Iraq, I won't begrudge them their griping. We will remember who showed up - and who did not). |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2004-12-22 4:07:06 PM |