Independent UK: Tensions rise after three British soldiers killed in US airstrike

[marmar]

Tensions rise after three British soldiers killed in US airstrike
By Kim Sengupta
Published: 25 August 2007


Three British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan in a "friendly fire" attack by American aircraft while involved in a clash with Taliban fighters.

The deaths brought the number of British forces killed in action in the country to 50, and came at the end of a week which had exposed rifts between American and British forces.

The fatal incident, a "blue on blue" in military terms, took place at Kajaki in Helmand province, where British troops are trying to create a safety zone around a dam which would enable an American company to start repair work.

A British patrol called in air strikes after coming under fire from the Taliban and were then bombed by mistake by American F-15 aircraft which came in support. The three soldiers died at the scene, while two others who were injured, one described as "seriously" and the other "very seriously", were evacuated for treatment to the British base, Camp Bastion. All the casualties are from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, which has now lost nine men during its tour of duty.

Tensions between US and British forces have risen after the American General Jack Keene, an advisor to the White House, scathingly criticised British policy in Iraq. There have also been disagreements in Afghanistan after the decision by the US Nato commander in the country, General Dan McNeill, to abort agreements made by British forces with local leaders in Helmand.

Mounting Afghan anger over civilian deaths caused by US air strikes had reportedly led to senior British officers asking the Americans not to continue a military operation, separate from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) mission, in British-controlled areas. However, British military sources stressed yesterday that the latest friendly fire deaths took place within Isaf operations and the American aircraft, part of a Nato "pool" providing air cover, were responding to British pleas for help. Both the British and US authorities will hold boards of inquiry into the deaths on Thursday. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article2893882.ece

[Hieronymus]

1. Did Bush order it?

[melody]

2. The Independent is pro-EU

They're normally going to play up differences between the UK and US. That's their whole
objective. Why ANYONE is dying is the question. The EU's complicit silence and financial
gains while clucking their tongue only feeds the problem while also being brazenly hypocritical. Their hierarchy is as deeply mired in this as the power wielders in the US.

[intaglio]

3. In the UK we have few choices for the future

We can either become a US dependent territory or we can be a part of the EU. While I admire the US, I believe that we will maintain more of our freedom as part of the EU.

[melody]

4. I don't think either road is what you need to do

I certainly don't think there are only two choices. Knowing what I know about the
EU, I can assure you that you'd be just as bullied and intimidated there as you are
with the US. The EU has global ambitions just as the US has. If it were not for the
fact our local globalists are planning on smashing all of North America into one country,
I'd even be concerned about a US/EU war at some point in the future.