They just got a different tool to use than we do: They kill innocent lives to achieve objectives. That's what they do. And they're good. They get on the TV screens and they get people to ask questions about, well, you know, this, that or the other. I mean, they're able to kind of say to people: Don't come and bother us, because we will kill you. Bush - Joint News Conference with Blair - 28 July '06

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Afghanistan: Bereaved Father blames UK government

Guardian

... The most recent fatality was named today as Private Damien Jackson, from South Shields, Tyneside, who was killed yesterday four days before his 20th birthday when Taliban fighters ambushed a group of paratroopers attempting to secure a helicopter landing site near Sangin.

Pte Jackson was a member of the same 3rd Parachute Regiment Battle Group as Corporal Peter Thorpe and Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi, who were killed in Sangin on Saturday. L/Cpl Hashmi was the first British Muslim soldier to be killed in five years of coalition presence in Afghanistan.

Pte Jackson's father Daniel Jackson said in a statement that the family was "desolate" at the news. "We will strive to seek inspiration from the example of his courage," he wrote.

"We fully support the British army in Afghanistan whilst in no way supporting or condoning a government policy which has placed our young men and women in such dreadful danger." Read more