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Source: ONE News -
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A former commander of the SAS is warning the publication of a photo identifying current members of the force in action in Afghanistan could sign a death warrant for them.
SAS Corporal Willie Apiata has been identified by a photo as on deployment in Kabul, but what are the implications?
While there is concern it may compromise his ability to work covertly the government maintains he will not be coming home.
Former New Zealand First MP Ron Mark has joined the war of words over the photo.
"This is total compromise of the worst kind and it's unnecessary. It's thoughtless," he says.
Commander David Maloney says the consequences could be deadly.
"Being identified on those operations might be the death warrant for them."
Defence specialist Lance Beath says it is not impossible that the Taliban might calculate that Apiata would be a potential hostage of real value.
"But, set against that is the fact that Willie's not exactly unable to take care of himself," Beath adds.
The government says its unlikely Apiata will be coming home.
In a rare move, Willie Apiata's role in the SAS was made public in 2007 when he was given the highest gallantry award, the Victoria Cross.
The Defence Minister at the time, Phil Goff, says the decision to identify him was not made lightly.
The media attention back then was huge.
"Having done that, it's a little odd that the government should now complain about the New Zealand Herald and the Dominion Post publishing photographs," says Heath.
The Defence Force would not appear on camera today. It says the New Zealand Herald, which published the photo first, broke a convention designed to protect soldiers' safety and plans to sit down with its editors to avoid having to make a formal complaint.
Maloney says he thinks the disadvantages in the photos being published far outweigh the public's right to know.
Whether the publication of the photo will mean more photos of
New Zealand's elite forces will be made public remains
unclear.
What do you think about identifying SAS soldiers? Have your
say on the messageboard below
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentGetrealpeps said on 2010-01-27 @ 16:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
The soldiers there have enough on their plate without having to watch their backs even further. Why not paint a big target on NZ for radicals after highlighting that we absolutely irrefutebly have SAS on ops. Perhaps they should bring Willy back and have him explain face to face to the photographer and NZ Herald.
iwiknz said on 2010-01-26 @ 23:49 NZDT: Report abusive post
what a dumb thing to say that he should be careful about photos taken of him did he ask the photographer to take it and then stand and pose for the picture knowing that he and others could be put in danger
joev said on 2010-01-26 @ 19:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
I am an ex Soldier and believe that this is both careless and thoughtless for the press to even consider publishing pictures that would identify our SAS personnel. How do you stop a soldier? the greatest weapon the enemy have is their family, Parents, Siblings, Spouses, Children. If they are prepared to take their battle to the USA what makes you think they won't bring it to NZ. we already have moslems in NZ which of them are radical enough to attack the families of our soldiers serving overseas
Veteran44 said on 2010-01-23 @ 13:24 NZDT: Report abusive post
Publication of the photograph was very wrong. Obviously the people resonsible have never been in a dangerous situation while in service to their Country. It would be very easy to obtain the location of his Family and then it needs only one fanatic to cause them harm. Hopefully the Army will ensure their ongoing protection. I suppose the guilty Editors are proud of their dangerous and I believe, treasonable actions.
molynz said on 2010-01-23 @ 10:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
Being compromised in theatre is completely unacceptable. Special forces rely on a covert presence to work effectively so this is totally irresponsible by the media.