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Should Prince Harry Be Allowed To Serve In Iraq?

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Don Rizzle:
Reid defends Harry in service row
Prince Harry should be allowed to serve on the front line of battle zones, Defence Secretary John Reid has said.
He was speaking after military commanders were said to be worried that the prince might draw enemy fire and put other troops at risk.

Mr Reid, speaking in Afghanistan, said Harry should be allowed to carry out normal duties "as far as is possible".

The prince's unit, the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, is due to be sent to Iraq next year.


 If they said 'no, you can't go front line' then I wouldn't drag my sorry ass through Sandhurst and I wouldn't be where I am now
Prince Harry
 

Prince Harry is adamant that, if his soldiers go, he wants to be there too.

Speaking last year, he said: "If they said 'no, you can't go front line' then I wouldn't drag my sorry ass through Sandhurst and I wouldn't be where I am now.

"The last thing I want to do is have my soldiers away to Iraq or wherever like that and for me to be held back home."

But it is understood some military commanders feel a royal presence in this already volatile region could increase the dangers for British troops.

'Judgement call'

Mr Reid said the prince's profile must be taken into account but that he should be allowed to carry out his duties.


 My plea would be to let this young man... be treated as what he is and that's a potentially very good young officer
John Reid Today interview 

"It would be my wish to do that as far as is possible, but obviously if there are aspects because of his prominence, that he has not sought, that would lead to a threat dimension that would be taken into account by commanding officers," he said.

"That is for them to judge but my plea would be to let this young man... be treated as what he is and that's a potentially very good young officer."

A Clarence House spokesman also admitted that, in some circumstances, Prince Harry's presence could pose an increased risk to his regiment but said a "judgement call" would have to be made by his commanding officer.

Defence analyst Amyas Godfrey, of the Royal United Services Institute, said he thought the dangers of the prince serving in a battle zone had been overstated.

"It would be an enormous amount of resources to kidnap one British soldier or to specifically attack that one specific soldier, and in many ways that would be counter-productive for an insurgency," he said.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4938978.stm

Published: 2006/04/24 13:31:28 GMT

I can see where people are coming from his regiment has already been publicised that its going into action with a little more information people maybe able to get a rough idea of where he is in Iraq, which could put him and his regiment in more danger than they would be in if he wasn't there, but then why let him join the army if they won't let him put in work. Royals have a history for serving in the forces, why should now be any different?

WestCoasta:
okay....

that's quite brave of course, but really not needed

Real American:
If I was him I would want to serve as well. He should be commended for wanting to go.  But he would make it to dangerous for those around him.

Jip:
send that bitch there, once he gets fucked up, they will have no choice but to remove the troops from iraq

Inspire / Moss:
send him !!!

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