Thursday - September 10, 2009

One ass-wipe reporter with an ego from the N.Y.Times ignores warning and one Brit soldier dies.

If the newspaper can be believed, this reporter was not only a hostage once before, on this occasion he was warned before hand NOT to go into a particular area as it was controlled by the Taliban.  But go he did anyway because he thought he was guided by a higher authority. His own damn ego.
So now his interpreter is dead along with a Brit paratrooper and a couple of civilians.
Maybe I have it all wrong and need to be re-educated here.
Is it a military priority or even their job, to try and rescue a newspaper reporter in a combat zone?  Isn’t that somehow blurring their function somewhat?

A lot more to read and tons to see at the link below. It explains it all.

One dead para, one dead translator, two dead civilians: Why DID Brown authorise raid to save reporter who ignored warnings?

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:17 PM on 10th September 2009

Hostage negotiators and military officials today expressed shock and anger over Gordon Brown’s decision to approve a high risk special forces raid to free a British journalist when talks for his release had already begun.

The operation in Afghanistan also provoked fury among Army chiefs who told of their dismay that a British soldier had died saving a hostage who they said had repeatedly ignored danger warnings.

A group of Afghan journalists also slammed Nato forces for rescuing the reporter while leaving their colleague to die.

Reporter Stephen Farrell, 46, was freed unharmed, but his translator Sultan Munadi was killed along with a paratrooper, two civilians and a Taliban commander.

Mr Farrell, left, with his interpreter Sultan Munadi, right, interview and film a wounded man in a hospital in Kunduz on the day before they were captured, Friday, September 4

Military chiefs said Mr Farrell apparently ignored warnings from Afghan police and village elders not to venture into the Taliban-controlled area where he was taken hostage.

One senior military source said: ‘When you look at the number of warnings this person had it makes you wonder whether he was really worth rescuing, whether it was worth the cost of another soldier’s life. In the future special forces might think twice in a similar situation.’

Scroll down for Stephen Farrell’s account of the decision to go in

Another military source added: ‘This reporter went into this area against the advice of the Afghan police. So thanks very much Stephen Farrell, your irresponsible act has led to the death of one of our boys.’

Robin Horsfall, a former SAS officer, told Channel 4 News: ‘Some questions will be asked if a journalist has behaved in a reckless fashion and put them in this position. There’s going to be some resentment.’

There was also frustration at military planners of the operation. Hostage negotiators believe they were ‘close’ to freeing Mr Farrell and Munadi.
Enlarge Stephen Farrell

‘I am comfortable with my decision’: Stephen Farrell wrote in the New York Times today of his ordeal

A diplomatic source in Kabul said there was no indication the kidnappers wanted anything more than money. ‘The plan was to keep negotiations local. But then MI6 charged in and, with next to zero knowledge of the local situation decided to launch an operation.’

SEE ALL THE REST HERE AND LOADS OF PIX AND ILLUSTRATIONS

Posted by peiper     on 09/10/2009 at 06:23 AM   
Filed Under: • Health and Safety • War-Stories •  
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