US will never let ‘friendly-fire’ witnesses go to a British court

[cal04]

Furious coroners threaten challenge to Ministry of Defence guidelines
The families of soldiers killed by American “friendly fire” will never get to see those who may have been responsible for the deaths questioned at inquests, The Times has learnt.

In an official document seen by this newspaper, the Ministry of Defence makes clear that all requests for US service personnel to give evidence at British inquests will be turned down. The new rules will cover the deaths of the three soldiers killed last week in Afghanistan.

“The US have confirmed categorically that they will not provide witnesses to attend UK inquests,” the document sent to every coroner in England and Wales states. “While coroners may continue to ask for US witnesses to attend . . . they should be aware that there will in all cases be a refusal.”

(snip)
“We need to know if the pilot was feeling hyped up, if he was calm, what he had been told before the operation, what happened on the day. Why is it that our closest ally is refusing to provide the evidence that might explain what happened to Robert? I am sure that if an American was killed in a British attack then those involved would give evidence.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2343930.ece

[MadMaddie]

1. Hunh....now this Administration would demand that the Brits

or anyother country that killed our soldiers in "Friendly Fire" Incidents appear before a US tribunal or some type of US court.

Wow, making enemies of the last of the "Coalitiion of the Willing"!


This adminsistration will destroy what is left of diplomacy by the upcoming election!

[Gman]

2. If they start cooperating with inquests in other countries

the next thing you know, someone's up for trial on war crimes. The lawyers in the WH when consulted about war crimes have decided not to let anyone testify.

[youngdem]

3. Accountability in ANY form scares the shit out of this administration....Dare they set a precedent