Hostages sell their Stories - Views

[bazbarron]

Here Here Paul
I attended the funeral a couple of weeks ago of the young Staffords lad killed by a sniper. It didn't even make the national press, its a disgrace Blair has got alot to answer for but the way that he and his government treat our troops leaves me lost for words.
As for these R N hostages and the selling of the stories, it is without doubt a PR stunt which looks likely to back fire. I was listening to some General on the radio saying that as these people were on a UN mandate that the other member countries France Holland etc. would be laughing at us. Doesn't he realize that they have been laughing at us with regard UN duties for years, especially in respect of UN pay.

[Paul Davies 701]

The Blair/Bush Government keeps telling us its a UN Mandate but how many French or German troops do you see in Iraq, no wonder they laugh at us they can sit back and reap all the rewards (lucrative oil contracts etc) without any of the risks or backlash. This is turning into another Vietnam for the USA and I'm afraid Blair is happy for the UK to be dragged down with them. These Navy personnel selling their stories was supposed to be a PR exercise showing how outside influences such as the Iranians is effecting Iraq and that's why no progress has been made, to me, it just opened up a large can of worms which no doubt will be buried in a mountain of spin, the one thing this Government is good at!!!

[Dai]

I had to laugh yesterday, one of the online tabloids featuring Fay Tierney (?) announcing that "after her horrific ordeal" she was returning to Iraq and her ship.......Erm??

We got released, went on leave then went back to Bosnia Big deal thats what we got paid for!!!

[5haron]

That was my point exactly

[Paul Hinge]

Nice one Led!! Could always rely on your political correctness!! eh!
She was also the Coxswain of one of the boats captured. Or as she stated on Sir Trevor Mcdonald's interview"I'm a boat driver!"

Hingey

[A T Marshall]

Hello , Daily's get their story, says it all, Paul you got it in one, who got the headlines? the Fifteen or the Four? The European press have also had a good day or two!! With regards to way that the British public view the services as I said in an earlier post it didn't help much either!! Regards Alex....

[A T Marshall]

Hello, Just read in this mornings paper that the MOD are to restrict families of wounded or injured forces personnel from 'going public' on the treatment their youngsters are receiving for their injuries in hospital. Sounds like one rule for one etc. Regards Alex

[ap1]

Can this be true!!!

I would like to see how they would enforce that. They would be better advised directing their efforts in improving the medical treatment the troops receive in the UK. The lunatics have definitely taken over the asylum.

Observer 15 April 2007

An internal 'defence instruction' seen by The Observer states that where wounded soldiers 'discuss their own individual cases with visitors, it is the visitor's responsibility to ensure that such discussions remain confidential. Under no circumstances may visitors repeat or discuss any clinical details they obtain during the visit'.

The three-page memo, from the central defence medical headquarters, makes it clear the rules apply both to family and friends and to official visitors, including MPs and military officers.

The directive argues that medical confidentiality makes such restrictions necessary. The memo follows a spate of critical media reports, including a harrowing account in The Observer of a young Iraq war veteran left to lie in his own faeces at the flagship ward for military casualties in Birmingham's Selly Oak hospital.

[Paul Davies 701]

Just another way of this Government's attempt to cover up any adverse publicity that puts them in a bad light. I'd like to see how they can stop these families from going public without revoking their freedom of speech. Adversely isn't that what the Government tells us the guys in Iraq and Afganistan are fighting for????

[Smokeyjoe]

After all the comments regarding Hospital treatment and stories to the press etc this Government is slowly destroying our armed services moral, I do not wish to start a political debate but they are in my opinion affecting recruitment in an adverse way.
I never thought I would say this, but I would not reccomend any young person to sign up today in the forces.
Regards,
Joe.