ianstone
10-11-2010, 11:04 AM
US Grenade May Have Killed Aid Worker
Comments (95) (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/British-Aid-Worker-Linda-Norgrove-May-Have-Been-Killed-By-US-Grenade-David-Cameron-Reveals/Article/201010215755921?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15755921_British_Aid_Worker_Linda_Norg rove_May_Have_Been_Killed_By_US_Grenade%2C_David_C ameron_Reveals#comments)
Alex Watts and Rob Cole, Sky News Online
British aid worker Linda Norgrove may have been killed by a US grenade during her failed rescue attempt.
David Cameron made the announcement after arriving 40 minutes late for a media briefing.
Initial reports suggested Ms Norgrove had been killed when a terrorist detonated an explosives vest.
The Prime Minister said he had personally authorised the rescue operation and "deeply regretted" her death.
But he stressed that it was a "very difficult judgement" to make and Ms Norgrove's parents were kept informed throughout.
"You can never be sure if it will lead to the successful release of the hostage," he added.
He said he was "deeply sorry and distressed" by her death, but still believed the rescue mission was the correct decision to make.
"We were told the danger she was in was getting worse as she was passed up the terrorist chain of command," he added.
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Oct/Week2/15754976.jpg Linda Norgrove was killed in Afghanistan
Ms Norgrove, from Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands, was seized by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan's Kunar province on September 26.
Three Afghan nationals also taken by the insurgents were later released, but Ms Norgrove continued to be held as fears grew for her safety.
It had initially been reported that the 36-year-old died after her kidnappers detonated a bomb vest as American troops tried to free her.
Now it appears she may have been killed by a grenade thrown by US special forces. Six kidnappers also died in the mission.
Asked whether he had considered sending in British special forces, Mr Cameron pointed out that the area of eastern Afghanistan where Ms Norgrove was being held was controlled by the US.
Foreign Secretary William Hague later said in a statement to the House of Commons that "we agreed from the outset this would be US-led".
Sky foreign affairs editor Tim Marshall (http://blogs.news.sky.com/foreignmatters) said: "Sky News understands the SAS was involved in an advisory role.
"They were there but they weren't the ones that actually went in. They would have been on the perimeter or close to it.
"We're told that they had one view of how to do this and the Americans had another view. The Americans went ahead with their view."
The PM said an investigation into her death was under way, led by US commander General David Petraeus (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/David_Petraeus).
"Initial reports indicated the explosion was caused by a detonation triggered by one of the captors who was in close proximity to Linda Norgrove," General Petraeus said in a statement.
"Subsequent review of surveillance footage and discussions with members of the rescue team do not conclusively determine the cause of her death."
Speaking from the Isle of Lewis, Ms Norgrove's father John said: "We are not saying anything to the Press at the moment.
"We might issue a statement in another day or two, we're not certain, but now we are not saying anything."
:: Friendly fire, cover-ups and the truth about Ms Norgrove's death: Read US correspondent Greg Milam's American Pie blog. (http://blogs.news.sky.com/americanpie/Post:745e7b78-c5d6-4bb2-993b-5a89e697a918)
Comments (95) (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/British-Aid-Worker-Linda-Norgrove-May-Have-Been-Killed-By-US-Grenade-David-Cameron-Reveals/Article/201010215755921?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15755921_British_Aid_Worker_Linda_Norg rove_May_Have_Been_Killed_By_US_Grenade%2C_David_C ameron_Reveals#comments)
Alex Watts and Rob Cole, Sky News Online
British aid worker Linda Norgrove may have been killed by a US grenade during her failed rescue attempt.
David Cameron made the announcement after arriving 40 minutes late for a media briefing.
Initial reports suggested Ms Norgrove had been killed when a terrorist detonated an explosives vest.
The Prime Minister said he had personally authorised the rescue operation and "deeply regretted" her death.
But he stressed that it was a "very difficult judgement" to make and Ms Norgrove's parents were kept informed throughout.
"You can never be sure if it will lead to the successful release of the hostage," he added.
He said he was "deeply sorry and distressed" by her death, but still believed the rescue mission was the correct decision to make.
"We were told the danger she was in was getting worse as she was passed up the terrorist chain of command," he added.
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Oct/Week2/15754976.jpg Linda Norgrove was killed in Afghanistan
Ms Norgrove, from Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands, was seized by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan's Kunar province on September 26.
Three Afghan nationals also taken by the insurgents were later released, but Ms Norgrove continued to be held as fears grew for her safety.
It had initially been reported that the 36-year-old died after her kidnappers detonated a bomb vest as American troops tried to free her.
Now it appears she may have been killed by a grenade thrown by US special forces. Six kidnappers also died in the mission.
Asked whether he had considered sending in British special forces, Mr Cameron pointed out that the area of eastern Afghanistan where Ms Norgrove was being held was controlled by the US.
Foreign Secretary William Hague later said in a statement to the House of Commons that "we agreed from the outset this would be US-led".
Sky foreign affairs editor Tim Marshall (http://blogs.news.sky.com/foreignmatters) said: "Sky News understands the SAS was involved in an advisory role.
"They were there but they weren't the ones that actually went in. They would have been on the perimeter or close to it.
"We're told that they had one view of how to do this and the Americans had another view. The Americans went ahead with their view."
The PM said an investigation into her death was under way, led by US commander General David Petraeus (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/David_Petraeus).
"Initial reports indicated the explosion was caused by a detonation triggered by one of the captors who was in close proximity to Linda Norgrove," General Petraeus said in a statement.
"Subsequent review of surveillance footage and discussions with members of the rescue team do not conclusively determine the cause of her death."
Speaking from the Isle of Lewis, Ms Norgrove's father John said: "We are not saying anything to the Press at the moment.
"We might issue a statement in another day or two, we're not certain, but now we are not saying anything."
:: Friendly fire, cover-ups and the truth about Ms Norgrove's death: Read US correspondent Greg Milam's American Pie blog. (http://blogs.news.sky.com/americanpie/Post:745e7b78-c5d6-4bb2-993b-5a89e697a918)