Does “friendly fire” really show its friendship?
Nearly four years ago, Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, a British soldier was mistakenly killed by American A10 pilots in Iraq. An article in last week’s The Economist stated why the inquest into the death of the soldier was delayed. The reason makes me sick - the Ministry of Defence (MOD) deliberately covered the truth.
What is the concern of the MOD? On behave of Britain, it should stand up for British citizens. However, it denied the existence of the video, which recorded the moments before and after the attack on Lance Corporal Hull’s convoy, and try to stop the coroner from using it. Does the MOD fear that this case may destroy the relationship between America and Britain?
As the coalition partner of U.S., Britain seems to devote its people to the Iraq war. No matter how many its soldiers died in the field, British Prime Minister Tony Blair still insists the essential of the attack on Iraq. Ironically, the wrongdoing of the MOD in this case would lose citizens’ trust at the British army and may affect its recruitment. Has not it been worried about people’s unwillingness to join the armed force?
In addition, this accident reveals one problem between those two nation’s cooperation. That is - clear markers - they should have something to distinguish enemies from friends. If the American pilots can clearly judge who the panel is from the air, this tragedy could be prevented and ensure that such accidents will not happen again.
So, can people offer the second chance to the British army?
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