Jos, You asked "What more can be said"
(1) I agree with yoir basic point about the original error - being the failure to see and guard against the risk of this kind of incident in the first place. Hindsight is wonderful, but from reports I've seen, this was the first lesson learned by the forces. (2) In terms of the moralities of the actions of the various parties involved, I don't believe it's right to be so laid back and shrug the shoulders. Every situation that ever happens, we have information mediated by the various channels that report it. We have to apply our judgement and read between lines from multiple sources where we can. In this case, I too have little problem with the "selling the stories" aspect - I made that clear. My only issue, compounded by the MoD dithering between approving / and closing the stable door aftre the stories had bolted, was whether serving troops should be telling their stories to the media at all, given risks to operational intellgence, etc. But again once out there, I'd agree indignation and outrage add nothing. Regards Ian On 4/11/07, Laycock, Jos (OSPT) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > My "position" can only be a description of what I've been told by the media, > I've inserted some moral judgements throughout, if this will make you happy. > > We're patrolling waters of an occupied country near to a disputed border, and > whilst not at war with the neighbour relations are poor. On being there at > all I'm neutral but we certainly made a big error in assesing the risks that > were posed and should not have allowed small vessels to be out on their own. > > An Iranian commander sees his chance for a medal and sends some fast boats > out from shore bristling with guns to intercept a couple of rubber dingies on > the horison. This was bad from our point of view but clearly great from his > or he wouldn't have done it. > > I can't know the details any more than they've been reported, what benefit is > there in stating indigantion or outrage when I'm not appraised of the exact > circumstances?? > > > What more can be said? > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Sent: 11 April 2007 13:14 > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: Re: [MD] Making money from surrender? > > > > > > Quoting "Laycock, Jos (OSPT)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > > > > What a funny thing to say - its like you mis-interpreted > > your own question??? > > > > > > You asked for my (a Briton's) opinion on [the descision to > > allow release of these > > > stories to the media]. > > > I responded that [the release of stories to the media] is a > > non issue > > > You then said that I regard the events themselves are a non issue. > > > > So what about the events themselves? What is your position on > > them? Seems > > hard to get a straight answer about the moral aspect of the > > attack on the > > high seas. As for the sailors selling their stories, I > > understand you could > > care less. > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------- > > This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/ > > moq_discuss mailing list > > Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. > > http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org > > Archives: > > http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ > > http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/ > > > > This email was received from the INTERNET and scanned by the > > Government Secure Intranet Anti-Virus service supplied by > > Cable&Wireless in partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM > > Certificate Number 2006/04/0007.) 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