A senior officer of Australia's special operations command has dismissed
suggestions of poor morale in the Special Air Services (SAS) regiment.
The SAS has been under intense scrutiny over the investigation into
allegations of war crimes in East Timor and complaints that their families
are being left in the dark over the fate of their loved ones in Iraq.
But, in a rare interview, Special Operations chief of staff Colonel John
Mansell says SAS morale at home and abroad remains high.
"What I can say is they're well trained, they're very well equipped,
they're well led, and they're extremely well prepared for this operation,"
he said.
"Now when you put that together you've got a lethal combination and as a
result of that they are extremely confident and their morale is
exceptionally high."
He has also rejected claims the families of SAS soldiers are being kept in
the dark over health and welfare of their loved ones.
Colonel Mansell says every effort is being made to keep families fully
informed, without compromising military operations in Iraq.
"Most definitely there is a military imperative to doing this," he said.
"The most critical part of their defence is the enemy not knowing where
they are, not knowing how they operate, not knowing where they might be."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/justin/nat/newsnat-1apr2003-84.htm
