UK Prince will not be allowed to fight in Afghanistan
LONDON, Oct 8: Britain’s Prince Harry will not be allowed to fight on the front line in Afghanistan, The Mail on Sunday newspaper said, citing senior sources in the prince’s regiment.
Harry, third in line to the throne, reportedly threatened to quit the British Army if he was blocked from active service due to safety fears and any such decision is likely to infuriate the 22-year-old.
Although a formal decision has yet to be made, sources in the Household Cavalry told the weekly tabloid that they thought it was too dangerous for him to deploy in Afghanistan.
The southern Helmand province, where the bulk of about 4,500 British troops in Afghanistan are operating, has seen fierce fighting this year as soldiers take on resurgent Taliban rebels loyal to the deposed Islamist regime.
Senior officers reckon the intensity of Taliban attacks is so severe that they could not risk a constitutional crisis by putting Harry’s life on the line, The Mail on Sunday said. As Second Lieutenant Wales, Harry is training to become a troop commander, in charge of 11 enlisted soldiers and four light tanks.
A senior cavalry source told the newspaper that it would boost morale if Harry were allowed to deploy. However, even if he was confined to headquarters, he would still be subject to rocket attacks.
“The fact is that his royal appointment could make him a target and put the lives of his soldiers in danger and while he will regret the decision I know he will appreciate and understand the thinking and evaluation behind it,” the source said.
In September 2005, Harry said: “There’s no way I’m going to put myself through Sandhurst (training academy) and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country.”
In The Mail on Sunday report, the Ministry of Defence said: “The intention is that Prince Harry will play as full a part as he can during his Army career, including participating in operations and exercises.
“The decision whether or not to deploy the prince on an operation would be made at the point when his unit were formally scheduled to deploy.”—AFP
