U.S. Military Not Allowed to Visit London
Peter Glover comments this morning on the directive by the U.S. Air Force prohibiting its personnel on two bases in England from visiting London. I agree with Peter that the message is easy fodder for anti-Americanism in Britain, especially in the mainstream British press, and that it makes the job of pro-American journalists like Peter more difficult.
Having said that, I am confident in thinking that in no way should anyone interpret that move as a lack of our resolve to stand in support of our friends in England. It is one thing to join in combating terrorism and helping protect the British population if asked to do so. It is a very different thing to allow our personnel to be placed at unecessary risk (due to the fact that their uniforms are the equivalent of a big red target for anti-American terrorists) as tourists to the city rather than in relation to their duties as military personnel. Peter points out that British forces placed similar restrictions on their personnel in America following 9-11. I believe, in spite of the PR problem, it is the right thing to do and hopefully our friends on the other side of the pond will understand our real motivation.
I appreciate people like Peter for regularly speaking out in support of America and our alliance in the U.K., especially in times when things can so easily be misinterpreted.
UPDATE: The travel ban has been lifted.
Having said that, I am confident in thinking that in no way should anyone interpret that move as a lack of our resolve to stand in support of our friends in England. It is one thing to join in combating terrorism and helping protect the British population if asked to do so. It is a very different thing to allow our personnel to be placed at unecessary risk (due to the fact that their uniforms are the equivalent of a big red target for anti-American terrorists) as tourists to the city rather than in relation to their duties as military personnel. Peter points out that British forces placed similar restrictions on their personnel in America following 9-11. I believe, in spite of the PR problem, it is the right thing to do and hopefully our friends on the other side of the pond will understand our real motivation.
I appreciate people like Peter for regularly speaking out in support of America and our alliance in the U.K., especially in times when things can so easily be misinterpreted.
UPDATE: The travel ban has been lifted.
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 7/12/2005 07:00:00 AM
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1 Comments:
Hi! Just breezing thru from one link or another...
It's not unusual at all for the military to restrict its members from various areas due to many causes. I remember being restricted to post for Korean Election Day...
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