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Equally significant is the fact that the only public statement to come from our prime minister while attending the bash was a comment on the detention of the sailors and marines, Blair declaring that it was "unjustified and wrong".
Once again this is a salutary demonstration of how Britain’s standing in the world so often seems far more affected by events and actions which are totally unrelated to the EU and, in this case, not for the better. While we are spending a King's ransom on our subscription to the EU – devoted in part to increasing our global influence – we might therefore be better advised to spend our money where it really matters.
Whether there were any deficiencies in our Iraqi operation remain to be seen but there must surely be an inquiry, once our servicemen are safely recovered, to determine whether indeed there were failures.
Not least, there needs to be an examination of the truth behind the story in The Sunday Telegraph, which alleges that British Intelligence chiefs were warned in January to expect reprisal attacks from Iran after America detained five suspected Iranian intelligence officers in Iraq. According to this newspaper, although the CIA alert led to the United States raising its official security threat level throughout the Middle East and elsewhere, Britain did not follow suit.
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Such a response was triggered by the classic boarding scenario, where the warship stands off but a short distance from the intercepted vessel – illustrated here with HMCS Vancouver (photo Canadian DND). A small boat is then detached, and the warship stays close, throughout the boarding, protecting the away team.
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With only one frigate (and two minesweepers) in theatre, however, the Royal Navy must be hard pressed to back up all its small boat patrols, or this may simply be a case of (false) economy, the ship saving on fuel by not sailing. On the other hand, it could be carelessness, complacency or even incompetence – the latter hardly being a stranger to the military.
Either way, as Private Eye often puts it, I think we should be told.
Update here.
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