Wednesday, February 07, 2007

How to Contribute to Anti-Americanism   [Iain Murray]

In March 2003, a British Lance-Corporal was killed by “friendly fire” (a terrible euphemism) from American A-10s.  The inquest into his death learned that a cockpit video existed, but the Pentagon refused to release it until after it had been leaked to the media.  The reliably pro-American Daily Telegraph is appalled by this:

It is the Pentagon's resistance to assisting in L/Cpl Hull's inquest that is the most disturbing aspect of the case. As the United States' most loyal ally, frankly we deserve better. The Ministry of Defence has presented a feeble spectacle, wringing its hands but unwilling to press the issue with Washington. Then, out of the blue, the video is leaked to a Labour-supporting tabloid (which, to its credit, defied Pentagon threats and published it). If it proves to be the Government that leaked it in an attempt to bounce Washington into action, what a depressing reflection that is on New Labour's methods – and our alleged special relationship with Washington.

Oxford's assistant deputy coroner, Andrew Walker, is the only person to emerge with much credit from this sorry saga. He made clear last week when he learnt the contents of the tape that it was germane to the case and made no attempt to disguise his disgust at Washington's intransigence.

Yesterday, with the tape airing non-stop on the news channels, the Pentagon had little option but to back down. L/Cpl Hull's family might finally learn the full story of how he died. That is the very least they have the right to expect.

Yes – there’s a possibility that the Blair government leaked the tape.  Magnus Linklater, writing in The Times, argues that the public screening of the tapes was a serious error in judgment:

Trevor Kavanagh, of The Sun, the newspaper that is running the video on its website, argues that the tape “reveals no secrets, only embarrassing truth”. How can he know? The video contains pilot-to-pilot exchanges, the identification of targets, operational details of the A-10 “tankbuster” communications system and evidence of what it can deliver at 12,000 feet. Whether this is useful to the other side, I do not know. And no more does Kavanagh. The US official, who argued yesterday that, since the video had not been declassified, its premature release broke the “body of law” that governs British-American relations, was right. It may indeed be embarrassing, but it may also put lives at risk.

Linklater contrasts the current attitude towards military information with that during the Second World War:

Thirty Secret Years by Denniston’s son, Robin, shows how the delicate intelligence relationship between Britain and the US was established on two unbreakable principles: free flow of information between allies and absolute secrecy to the outside world. Even mention of the Cipher School was forbidden. Denniston would have been horrified at the notion of negotiating intelligence with government, and even more appalled at the release of information to the media, which could then be combed through by enemy agents.

Indeed.  The DOD should have released the film immediately and without question on the understanding that it was to be seen only by the Coroner and the victim’s family, as requested.  That would have obviated the leak, which has contributed to a rise in anti-American sentiment.  What we have at the moment is the worst of both worlds, straining the alliance and leading to damaging leaks.  The Anglo-American alliance is currently hanging by a thread.

02/07 12:45 PMShare