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Howard stands by SAS
By Paul Osborne
01jun05
PRIME Minister John Howard has stood by the SAS in the wake of claims Australian soldiers killed civilians in Afghanistan.
Time magazine reported the actions of an Australian Special Air Service Regiment patrol triggered a battle in which 11 tribesmen were killed and 16 wounded during the war on terrorism in Afghanistan in 2002.
One soldier in the six-man patrol was disciplined for souveniring a turban and gun from a dead villager.
Claims and counter-claims within the patrol led the patrol's leader – who told the magazine he believed the incident was covered up – to quit the army.
Defence force chief General Peter Cosgrove has stood by the patrol's action, but said he would seek more details about the claims of theft.
Mr Howard said today he retained great confidence and admiration for the men of the SAS.
"I think the SAS is a fantastic unit of the Australian defence forces," Mr Howard said.
"We expect these incredibly well-trained and able men to undertake life-endangering missions in our name and on our behalf.
"Inevitably when you get into a dangerous situation people have to take action to defend themselves.
"Nothing I have heard about this alters the fundamental fact that they took proper action consistent with the laws of war to defend themselves in anticipation of physical danger or death.
"Every Australian would defend totally their right to do that."
General Cosgrove told a Senate estimates hearing last night an investigation had found the patrol's actions to be in line with the SAS's rules of engagement.
"Some internal aspects ... were investigated fully at the time and appropriate disciplinary action was initiated," he said.
But he said it was not appropriate to reveal the detail of the investigation or its results.
Opposition defence spokesman Robert McClelland said the public had a right to know about the allegations and what was being done to address them.
But Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, who has visited Afghanistan to inspect SAS operations, said the regiment had a reputation for not over-reacting and ensuring civilians did not get caught up in battles.
"(They would) be precise, not just simply lay firepower about the place and be merciful and absolutely check any contact to make sure that the contact wasn't inadvertently going to be an innocent," Mr Beazley said.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said he would wait for General Cosgrove's report and expected disciplinary action would be taken if there was any improper behaviour.
"But my experience is that our special forces are both very effective and professional," Senator Hill said.
Taken from http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,15474946%5E1702,00.html
I personally think it a load of BS. If a villager goes for his gun when he discovers your OP it goes without saying, you shoot him. And when the rest of his tribe arc up on your position with heavy machine guns and RPG fire, you're gunna fight back. It's just political left wing pinko posturing if you ask me.
By Paul Osborne
01jun05
PRIME Minister John Howard has stood by the SAS in the wake of claims Australian soldiers killed civilians in Afghanistan.
Time magazine reported the actions of an Australian Special Air Service Regiment patrol triggered a battle in which 11 tribesmen were killed and 16 wounded during the war on terrorism in Afghanistan in 2002.
One soldier in the six-man patrol was disciplined for souveniring a turban and gun from a dead villager.
Claims and counter-claims within the patrol led the patrol's leader – who told the magazine he believed the incident was covered up – to quit the army.
Defence force chief General Peter Cosgrove has stood by the patrol's action, but said he would seek more details about the claims of theft.
Mr Howard said today he retained great confidence and admiration for the men of the SAS.
"I think the SAS is a fantastic unit of the Australian defence forces," Mr Howard said.
"We expect these incredibly well-trained and able men to undertake life-endangering missions in our name and on our behalf.
"Inevitably when you get into a dangerous situation people have to take action to defend themselves.
"Nothing I have heard about this alters the fundamental fact that they took proper action consistent with the laws of war to defend themselves in anticipation of physical danger or death.
"Every Australian would defend totally their right to do that."
General Cosgrove told a Senate estimates hearing last night an investigation had found the patrol's actions to be in line with the SAS's rules of engagement.
"Some internal aspects ... were investigated fully at the time and appropriate disciplinary action was initiated," he said.
But he said it was not appropriate to reveal the detail of the investigation or its results.
Opposition defence spokesman Robert McClelland said the public had a right to know about the allegations and what was being done to address them.
But Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, who has visited Afghanistan to inspect SAS operations, said the regiment had a reputation for not over-reacting and ensuring civilians did not get caught up in battles.
"(They would) be precise, not just simply lay firepower about the place and be merciful and absolutely check any contact to make sure that the contact wasn't inadvertently going to be an innocent," Mr Beazley said.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said he would wait for General Cosgrove's report and expected disciplinary action would be taken if there was any improper behaviour.
"But my experience is that our special forces are both very effective and professional," Senator Hill said.
Taken from http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,15474946%5E1702,00.html
I personally think it a load of BS. If a villager goes for his gun when he discovers your OP it goes without saying, you shoot him. And when the rest of his tribe arc up on your position with heavy machine guns and RPG fire, you're gunna fight back. It's just political left wing pinko posturing if you ask me.
