Guardian UK: British troops make 'flawless' hostage rescue

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1738083,00.html

James Sturcke
Thursday March 23, 2006

When Jack Straw revealed this morning that "British military personnel" had been involved into today's operation to release the three hostages in Iraq, he effectively confirmed that the SAS had chalked up another success in their illustrious 65-year history.
Although officials have been reluctant to give out detailed information so soon after the raid, the foreign secretary did say that it took place early today and that "mercifully, no shots were fired".

The Ministry of Defence also confirmed that British troops had played a "prominent role" in the rescue operation, which took place in western Baghdad.

John Reid, the defence secretary, said the operation, "spearheaded by British troops" had been "several weeks" in the planning.


Reuters link:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MAC332967.htm

Intelligence work leads to Iraq aid workers' rescue

23 Mar 2006 16:56:47 GMT

By Alastair Macdonald

BAGHDAD, March 23 (Reuters) - Weeks of intelligence work in lawless west Baghdad and a rapid response by special forces to information extracted from a prisoner led to British troops' rescue of three Christian peace activists in Baghdad on Thursday.

British and U.S. officials were reluctant to give details of the release of Canadians Harmeet Sooden and Jim Loney and Briton Norman Kember, not wishing to jeopardise efforts to free several other hostages believed still held around the capital.

"It was part of ongoing operations related to hostages," said British military spokesman Wing Commander Tony Radcliffe.

Among foreigners still missing are two Kenyan engineers and American journalist Jill Carroll, seized in Baghdad in January.

another excuse and justification for torturing prisoners. I am thankful that the CPT members were rescued (although the first headlines I read said "RELEASED") but wondering just how that phrase is going to be jammed down our throats. another thought is just how accurate this account is--the "rescue" of jessica lynch comes to mind.

Everything these RW thugs put out are always complete lies or half truths.

Good contrast between the two news stories as to how they are written...

In the Reuters story, 'torture' is prominent in the first paragraph, and coded for the narrative as an element, but not even recognized in the Guardian account, who, instead emphasizes it "had been "several weeks" in the planning."

In "lawless west Baghdad", "information <was> extracted from a prisoner"--funny some reports said it was an informer that told them...?

But I think it was the UK forces and the Mounties, mostly.

Just like Operation Swarmer was the Iraqi's idea and they lead the way. LIES!

Fucking people wouldn't be hostages in the first place if it weren't for British troops.

Good for them!!! I'm glad they got the hostages!!!

I think this "rescue" was along the lines of "we are leaving the hostages at place X - you can go get them now". At least that's what the CBC news conference today indicated to me.

On edit - Here's a key bit from the Reuters story:
"The dawn raid that found the three hostages tied up and unguarded in a house was led by British troops and involved others from the U.S.-led Coalition, officials said.

They were acting on intelligence obtained three hours earlier from one of two people arrested the night before."

Note - found unguarded. It reminds me of the Jessica Lynch story.

The British version of Saving Private Lynch

The story had lost its appeal. People were not responding the way the Black Ops thought they would to the hostages plight, so the American was killed, the supermen rescue the remaining three...POOF it is a story again. Plus the fundies in the USA are mad hornets again because of the death of another fundie...POOF..will Bush's Polls go up? Will people support the war again? This whole fucking nightmare is the worst pulp fiction ever conceived. I am sick to death of this fake war, the fake patriotism, the lies, the stealing, the DEATHS OF 100,000S OF INNOCENT PEOPLE...toss me off the planet Goddess....

just like when the British guards left that Palestinian prison unguarded and suddenly the Israeli army turned up...another official "coincidence theory"...