A rchive Date
[ 25-03-2003 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Britain ]
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[http://www.canoe.ca/Columnists/weston.html
Life and death
By GREG WESTON -- Sun Media
March 25, 2003
As the conflict in Iraq escalates from the sterile images of nightly fireworks in Baghdad to the reality of dead bodies heaped in a windswept desert, a U.K. commander's eloquent address to his troops serves as a timely reminder that ultimate victory in this war is more about saving people than killing them.
Following is a partial text of remarks made by Lt.-Col. Tim Collins to the battle group of the First Battalion of the Royal Irish a few days ago as they prepared to join the invasion.
No matter how one feels about this war, the colonel's fighting words are at once both hopeful and horrific.
"We go to liberate, not to conquer," he began. "We will not fly our flags in their country. We are entering Iraq to free a people, and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Show respect for them.
"There are some (Iraqis) who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly. Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send.
"As for the others, I expect you to rock their world. Wipe them out if that is what they choose.
"But if you are ferocious in battle, remember to be magnanimous in victory.
"Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham. Tread lightly there. You will see things that no man could pay to see.
Generous, upright
"You will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis. You will be embarrassed by their hospitality, even though they have nothing.
"Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country.
"Their children will be poor, (but) in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you.
"If there are casualties of war, then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning, they did not plan to die this day.
"Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves ...
"It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive, but there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign.
"We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back. There will be no time for sorrow.
"The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis, and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction.
"There are many regional (Iraqi) commanders who have stains on their souls, and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam.
"He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done. As they die, they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity ...
"It is a big step to take another human life. It is not to be done lightly.
'The mark of Cain'
"I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts. I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them.
"If someone surrenders to you, then remember they have that right in international law, and ensure that one day they go home to their family.
"The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please ... "
Collins warned his troops not to get carried away in the heat of battle.
"If you harm the regiment or its history by overenthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer.
"You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest, for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform nor our nation."
Collins warned his troops they were likely to face chemical or biological weapons.
"It is not a question of if; it is a question of when. We know he (Saddam) has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself.
"If we survive the first strike, we will survive the attack."
Something to think about.
Greg Weston is Sun Media's national political columnist, his columns appear Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Letters to the editor should be sent to editor@sunpub.com.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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