UK News

British military reviews Iraq deployment of Prince Harry (Roundup)

Apr 26, 2007, 9:15 GMT

London - The top of the British army is reviewing its decision to send Prince Harry to Iraq amid heightened security fears following a recent increase of attacks on the British military in southern Iraq, it emerged Thursday. 05/14/2006 - Prince Harry - Annual Parade and Service of the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association - Hyde Park - Hyde Park, London © Photorazzi

05/14/2006 - Prince Harry - Annual Parade and Service of the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association - Hyde Park - Hyde Park, London © PhotorazziThe 22-year-old prince, who is third in line to the throne, is eager to be deployed with his Blues and Royals regiment in southern Iraq, but sources said the decision was now being 'reviewed by senior officers.' The speculation is that Harry, whose military role would be that of a tank commander, could be given a desk job instead. This is something Harry has made clear he would 'hate.' He has reportedly threatened to leave the army if he was denied a frontline role. April has been the bloodiest month for the British army in southern Iraq since the 2003 invasion, with 11 soldiers - among them two women - being killed in the last four weeks. The total number of British army personnel killed in Iraq since the invasion stands at 145. Reports in recent days have alleged that militia groups in Iraq had drawn up 'detailed plans' to kidnap Harry, claiming they had informants at British headquarters in Basra. A report in the Observer newspaper claimed that photographs of Harry had already been distributed among insurgent groups in the area where the prince would be deployed. 'The bad guys know that he's coming, and we expect that they will consider him a high-profile scalp,' a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was quoted as saying. There is growing fear not only for the safety of Harry, but also those around him, sources said. The army also had to consider the possibility that an upsurge of violence in and around Basra, where just over 7,000 British troops are stationed, could be 'blamed' on Harry's presence. The Ministry of Defence said his deployment had always been under 'constant consideration' and it remained its intention to send him. General Sir Richard Dannatt, head of the Army, will have to decide whether to stand by his original decision to sanction Harry's deployment. Harry is currently set to go to Iraq within weeks. He would be in charge of 11 soldiers carrying out reconnaissance work and gathering intelligence using armoured fighting vehicles. 'It is still our intent that Prince Harry will deploy as a troop leader,' said the MoD. In February, the royal palace and the MoD confirmed that the prince would be deployed to Iraq, saying he would take on a 'normal troop commander's role' rather than a desk job. The prince, who trained as an officer at Sandhurst Military Academy, has always insisted he wants to serve as an active army officer and not be treated differently because of his status. The deployment would make him the first royal to be sent on a tour of duty in a war zone since Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, served in the Falklands conflict in 1982. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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apolodoroApr 26th, 2007 - 10:40:13

COME ON HARRY, COME ON LAD, FOR ENGLAND,
YOU'VE GOT BALLS!!!

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BearApr 26th, 2007 - 10:56:26

Prnice Harry going to Iraq has nothing to do wih England having 'balls' or even where the Prince wants to be stationed. If lives are being or will be put in danger b/c of his presence, then he shouldn't be going. It is just that simple.

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www.mathematics.milApr 26th, 2007 - 11:10:22

... carry the Harry ...

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BEAR BALLSApr 26th, 2007 - 11:12:52

BEAR, YOU'RE PROBABLY A MOUSE, THE MAN'S GOT TONS OF BALLS AND ON THAT ALONE HE DESERVES RESPECT, PPL AROUND HIM WILL SIMPLY SEE THE ACTION THEY'VE BEEN PROMISED BEFORE GOING TO IRAK SO NO BIG DEAL THERE

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John BullApr 26th, 2007 - 11:14:45

Cry God for Harry, England and St George!

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JohnApr 26th, 2007 - 11:28:12

If Harry isn't willing to fight then what on earth is he doing in the armed forces? And despite all the hype he is supposed to be an adult so I expect after all he has said on the subject himself that he will either go and fight (not from behind a desk) or he will resign his commission. Any other course of action (ie accepting a desk job) will leave him open to the charge of cowardice in the face of the enemy in my view and that carries a jail term. To be led astray is no excuse for going astray in this world and we will see if Harry has more balls than his brother who has already shown us he would rather frequent bars in London groping stranger's breasts than living up to his obligations in his armed forces role. We will probably see Harry in a prince Andrew role even if he does deign to go, and make no bones about it it will be his decision alone, kept well to the back in all but the newspaper headlines where he was feted as a hero. If ordinary people can go and fight and die so can the 'royals' or they should stop playing soldiers and rubbing honest soldiers noses in the reality that for the royals the armed forces really are just about skiing, scuba diving and getting free flights around the world at everyone elses expense. They are absolutely no different from any of us and it is time they started acting like it and stopped acting like spoilt brats who we should be grateful to have here. If I was any member of our armed forces I'd take things into my own hands and stop saluting these people or swearing allegience to them as they see us all as mugs, it is about time the mugs grew up and told them to go to hell, ..... or join the Scouts.

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re: JohnApr 26th, 2007 - 12:12:02

Chill out man. Prince Harry has said that he would leave the services if he was given a desk job. What's cowardly about that? And why are you even bringing up all that other crap? This story isn't about your self-esteem, or lack thereof.

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Achtung ! zee german is comin !Apr 26th, 2007 - 12:14:03

Harry's massive big shiny balls of titanium can be spoted on google earth & trojan camels in southern irak already give the impression to the media that iranian foreign services together with alqaeda and various other local proxy brigades are just playing pool all day.

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centurionApr 26th, 2007 - 12:37:38

The Brits need to drop this whole 'royalty' thing and get on with their lives. It's nothing but the utmost cruelty anyway. Overpampered pets with highly selfish owners; that's the true definition of what 'royals' are. Free the royals now!

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HarygonagetshotApr 28th, 2007 - 15:47:53

dude. do you think harry balls is up for the challenge, or is he just looking for more fame.... that is the question, hope he doesnt step on a mine.

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