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Afghanistan | |
Paras to have Army's full backing over any Afghan prosecutions | |
2006-01-28 | |
The commanding officer of the paratroopers being sent to Afghanistan said yesterday that Army chiefs would give him their "full support" over any incident in which his soldiers might be prosecuted.
The regiment has already experienced the Army's prosecution system after seven members were cleared of murdering an Iraqi following a court martial last year in which the judge heavily criticised military investigators. The Paras are keen that the "rules of engagement" for Afghanistan will be robust enough that soldiers will not have to hesitate before getting involved in potentially lethal fire fights. Lt Col Tootal, who took over command of 3 Para three months ago, was speaking as 3,000 troops from 16 Air Assault Brigade and from Denmark and Estonia took part in a major exercise watched by John Reid, the Defence Secretary. At Copehill Down, a life-size mock village built on Salisbury Plain, 60 Afghans, specially recruited through a language agency, played drug barons, war lords, Taliban and interpreters as the Army made its preparations for the major deployment to Afghanistan. | |
Posted by: Anonymoose |
#1 Hudna's over. Lt Col Stuart (Stew TooTall) Tootal |
Posted by: 6 2006-01-28 10:20 |