BRITAIN:The British Ministry of Defence was in "a political pickle" last night as the head of the army, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, reviewed the decision to allow Prince Harry to serve in Iraq.
News of Sir Richard's review of a range of complex options came after the deaths of 11 British troops in Iraq this month and followed newspaper reports that Iraqi militia groups had drawn up detailed plans to seize Prince Harry as a hostage when he arrives there with his regiment, the Blues and Royals, some time next month.
That report in Sunday's Observer was followed by an exclusive in yesterday's Sun newspaper announcing that Harry's dream of fighting on the Iraq front line might be over because of the rising tide of anti-British violence there, coupled with specific threats against the prince's life and the need to avert a "disaster" overtaking other soldiers serving alongside him.
The prince (22) has long stated his desire to serve as an active officer and to be treated on the same basis as the men serving under him.
The BBC last night had "friends" of his denying reports he would resign his commission if prevented from serving. However, they admitted he would be very disappointed if the original decision was overturned.
Prime minister Tony Blair, said he would be "delighted" if his child wanted to serve in Iraq, but stressed that decisions about Prince Harry's future role were "absolutely a matter for the military".
The prince would be the first royal to undertake a tour of duty in a war zone since the Duke of York's deployment in the Falklands conflict in 1982. But the decision facing the head of the army last night underlined the worsening position in Basra faced by British troops. It also left the MoD in a political bind soon after the "cash for stories" debacle involving the naval personnel freed by Iran - with ministers and military chiefs aware that a decision either way holds a potential propaganda advantage for Iraqi insurgents.
John Nott, defence secretary during the Falklands conflict, told BBC News: "The danger is that Prince Harry will be hazarding the lives of other soldiers and young officers and I think that's not right."