Harry Not Going To Iraq

LONDON (AP) – Harry, third in line to the British throne, will not be sent with his unit to Iraq, Britain’s top general said Wednesday, citing specific threats to thim and the risks to his fellow soldiers.General Sir Richard Dannatt, the army chief of staff who recently traveled to Iraq, said the changing situation on the ground exposed the prince to too much danger. Media scrutiny of Harry’s potential deployment exacerbated the situation, he said.“There have been a number of specific threats, some reported and some not reported, that relate directly to Prince Harry as an individual,” General Dannatt said. “These threats exposed him and those around him to a degree of risk I considered unacceptable.”There have been reported threats by Iraqi insurgents to kill or kidnap the prince, including claims his photograph had been widely circulated among militants.Clarence House, the office of Harry’s father, Charles, said Harry was disappointed that “he will not be able to go to Iraq with his troop deployment as he had hoped.”“He fully understands Gen. Dannatt’s difficult decision and remains committed to his army career,” the statement said. “Prince Harry’s thoughts are with the rest of the battle group in Iraq.”The Defense Ministry had long said the decision would be kept under review amid concerns for the security of Harry, a second lieutenant, and other soldiers serving with him. The 22-year-old prince is a tank commander trained to lead a 12-man team in four armored reconnaissance vehicles.Britain is preparing to hand over much of its security responsibilities to Iraqi security forces, concentrating troops at Basra Palace and Basra Air Base.Insurgent groups looking to target Cornet Wales – as his rank is called in the Blues and Royals regiment – would have had a concentrated area in which to look for him.Defense officials had previously said Harry could be kept out of situations where his presence could jeopardize comrades. There had been speculation he would have been shadowed by bodyguards.“A contributing factor to this increase in threat to Prince Harry has been the widespread knowledge and discussion of his possible deployment,” General Dannatt said.Harry would have been the first member of the British royal family to serve in a war zone since his uncle, Andrew, flew as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands conflict with Argentina in 1982.The younger son of Charles and the late Diana has been a frequent face on the front of Britain’s tabloid newspapers, which have constantly covered his party-going lifestyle at glitzy London nightclubs.The decision to pull Harry from Iraq could have a devastating impact on the morale of the British troops in the field, said Charles Heyman, a former British soldier and the editor of the book, “Armed Forces of the UK.”“It will have a tremendous effect on morale right across the army,” Mr. Heyman said. “Soldiers will say: ‘If it’s too dangerous for Prince Harry, then it’s too dangerous for me. Is his life worth more than mine?’ Well, from a political point of view, yes. But from a morale point of view, the answer is no.”Mr. Heyman said the effect on Prince Harry could be equally negative.“If he didn’t go to Iraq or Afghanistan, he’d be just about the only person in the British army who hadn’t been on operations,” he said. “As a combat soldier, he would have no credibility whatsoever.”General Dannatt paid tribute to Harry in his statement, describing him has a professional soldier whose presence will be missed in Iraq.“I commend him for his determination and his undoubted talent, and I don’t say that lightly,” General Dannatt said. “His soldiers will miss his leadership in Iraq, although I know his commanding officer will provide a highly capable substitute troop leader.”

Harry Not Going To Iraq

Harry Not Going To Iraq

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