Posted on 03/11/2006 5:43:21 PM PST by blam
SAS soldier quits Army in disgust at 'illegal' American tactics in Iraq
By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent
(Filed: 12/03/2006)
An SAS soldier has refused to fight in Iraq and has left the Army over the "illegal" tactics of United States troops and the policies of coalition forces.
After three months in Baghdad, Ben Griffin told his commander that he was no longer prepared to fight alongside American forces.
Ben Griffin told commanders that he thought the Iraq war was illegal
He said he had witnessed "dozens of illegal acts" by US troops, claiming they viewed all Iraqis as "untermenschen" - the Nazi term for races regarded as sub-human.
The decision marks the first time an SAS soldier has refused to go into combat and quit the Army on moral grounds.
It immediately brought to an end Mr Griffin's exemplary, eight-year career in which he also served with the Parachute Regiment, taking part in operations in Northern Ireland, Macedonia and Afghanistan.
But it will also embarrass the Government and have a potentially profound impact on cases of other soldiers who have refused to fight.
On Wednesday, the pre-trial hearing will begin into the court martial of Flt Lt Malcolm Kendall-Smith, a Royal Air Force doctor who has refused to return to Iraq for a third tour of duty on the grounds that the war is illegal. Mr Griffin's allegations came as the Foreign Office minister Kim Howells, visiting Basra yesterday, admitted that Iraq was now "a mess".
Mr Griffin, 28, who spent two years with the SAS, said the American military's "gung-ho and trigger happy mentality" and tactics had completely undermined any chance of winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi population. He added that many innocent civilians were arrested in night-time raids and interrogated by American soldiers, imprisoned in the notorious Abu Ghraib prison, or handed over to the Iraqi authorities and "most probably" tortured.
Mr Griffin eventually told SAS commanders at Hereford that he could not take part in a war which he regarded as "illegal".
He added that he now believed that the Prime Minister and the Government had repeatedly "lied" over the war's conduct.
"I did not join the British Army to conduct American foreign policy," he said. He expected to be labelled a coward and to face a court martial and imprisonment after making what "the most difficult decision of my life" last March.
Instead, he was discharged with a testimonial describing him as a "balanced, honest, loyal and determined individual who possesses the strength of character to have the courage of his convictions".
Last night Patrick Mercer, the shadow minister for homeland security, said: "Trooper Griffin is a highly experienced soldier. This makes his decision particularly disturbing and his views and opinions must be listened to by the Government."
The MoD declined to comment.
Relative of John Kerry?
That seems kind of odd for a member of the SAS.
Next time the British Isles get invaded you are on your own lad. We pulled your country's bacon out of the fire twice and are still trying to pick up the pieces after your empire collapsed.
But probably not for one who intends to enter politics...
I Guess he not manly enough to live up to the SAS motto: He who dares first wins
He's Gay.
Has he been reading the NY Slimes? Or reporting for it?
To say the least. I've read several books on the SAS and he doesn't sound like any of them.
If only our administration had a clue how to diffuse a controversy as well as this. Send the guy on his way with a pat on the back and a letter of recommendation! What class!
FYI - I think the dude is off his rocker.
Fine. Better he's out of there rather than undermining efforts from within.
As for his apparently unqualified statements as to the goings-on in Iraq, one has to wonder why it sounds so familiar and similar to the anti-war talking points and comes without evidence to support, or specific instances to be refuted or challenged. Vague assertions of illegal activities are hard to disprove, and the assertions themselves do not constitute proof.
Thus leaving the U.S. to prove a negative.
Benny, will soon be starting as the "catcher" in the sequel to Brokeback Mountain......Brokeback Commandos.
Britain has never been defended from an "Invasion" on British soil by American forces.
Dont mean to be technical, and I dont mean you any disrespect. But I dont like gung-ho blowhard fallacies being touted as fact.
Whether or not American intervention prevented such an eventuality is a different matter.
And the "collapse" of the "British Empire" was a good thing. Indeed the creation of the United States was but a part of that process, and I for one am fairly pleased about it.
This guy's story smells like last week's milk. I don't know what really happened with him, but my BS meter is pegged.
It's called "establishing fire superiority". Basically, you don't let the other guys believe they have a chance to prevail. ;-)
"He said he had witnessed "dozens of illegal acts" by US troops"
And he did not report any of this to his superiors at the time of the alleged acts?
"He added that many innocent civilians were arrested in night-time raids and interrogated by American soldiers, imprisoned in the notorious Abu Ghraib prison, or handed over to the Iraqi authorities and "most probably" tortured."
If this guy knows who is innocent and who is guilty ... I wonder why doesn't he just point out the bad guys who are creating and planting the IED's?
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