Wayne Mapp does not deny civilian deaths in botched raid

Written By: - Date published: 5:33 pm, March 22nd, 2017 - 84 comments
Categories: accountability, afghanistan, war - Tags: ,

Well Bill English’s attacks and evasions are in some trouble now – good work Emma Hurley at NewsHub – Wayne Mapp does not deny ‘Hit and Run’ Afghan raid claims:

Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has conceded that civilians were killed in the 2010 Afghanistan raid that is the focus of Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson’s new book.

Dr Mapp denied civilians were killed when the raid became public in 2011, but was open about it on Wednesday.

“One of the disasters of war is these terrible things can happen,” he said.

When asked if he was remorseful, he replied: “In 2014 I was informed that, I saw it on TV in fact, that a three-year-old was killed, I’m sure everyone is remorseful about that. At the time of the attack they thought they were being attacked by insurgents.”

Dr Mapp resigned from Parliament in 2011 and until now has never spoken publicly about what happened in Afghanistan, but according to the book he confided to a friend that the Defence Force was ” doing too much I didn’t know about”.

Good on you Wayne. Hit just got real.

https://twitter.com/NewshubBreaking/status/844398805470625792

84 comments on “Wayne Mapp does not deny civilian deaths in botched raid ”

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  1. mickysavage 1
    22 March 2017 at 5:36 pm

    The Government has tried to reconcile Mapp’s denial with Coleman’s subsequent admission. Something had to give …

  2. Sacha 2
    22 March 2017 at 5:42 pm

    Good on you, Wayne.

    • weka 2.1
      22 March 2017 at 5:46 pm

      +1

      I haven’t followed the details but I hope Mapp isn’t thrown under a bus instead of that smarmy fuck doing a runner.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1.1
        22 March 2017 at 5:52 pm

        +1

      • weka 2.1.2
        22 March 2017 at 5:52 pm

        just had a quick look at the article, still a fair amount of obfuscation going on.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1.2.1
          22 March 2017 at 5:56 pm

          At the time of the attack they thought they were being attacked by insurgents…

          This ties in with my recollection of allegations that were going around at the time – that US troops would manufacture excuses to destroy villages and family compounds.

          My general feeling is that SAS officers were somewhere between uneasy and appalled – which I suppose is why they approached Hager.

          • Sacha 2.1.2.1.1
            22 March 2017 at 6:20 pm

            “My general feeling is that SAS officers were somewhere between uneasy and appalled – which I suppose is why they approached Hager.”

            Properly trained soldiers retain a strong moral sense of when killing is wrong. I imagine it gnawing away at them since. A proper inquiry might lift a huge weight from them. None of us have the right to expect any public servants to carry that load on our behalf.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1.2.1.1.1
              22 March 2017 at 6:36 pm

              The most highly trained soldier is still subject to the fog of war: perhaps it’s just SNAFU.

              There are still hard questions to be asked about the whole fiasco, like, for example: what led to the decision to trust a money trader with the go codes?

              • Matthew Whitehead …
                22 March 2017 at 7:42 pm

                Perhaps, doesn’t explain the allegation that there was intel at the time that the real targets weren’t in the place where the soldiers were sent, though. It’s possible, of course, that that allegation is real but that the intel was judged to be bad for some reason, and thus the whole tragic thing was just a stupid accident- in which case, even more reason not to be fighting other people’s wars.

          • weka 2.1.2.1.2
            22 March 2017 at 6:40 pm

            I was thinking more about the political obfuscation.

      • greg 2.1.3
        22 March 2017 at 5:58 pm

        +1

      • Dale 2.1.4
        23 March 2017 at 1:23 am

        [deleted]

      • Dale 2.1.5
        23 March 2017 at 1:31 am

        [deleted]

        [getting yourself a permanent ban presumably feels just as satisfying – Moderation]

      • North 2.1.6
        24 March 2017 at 8:33 pm

        “that smarmy fuck……..” Bloody brilliant !

  3. Dv 3
    22 March 2017 at 5:49 pm

    Well done Wayne.
    Thank you for your integrity

    • Cinny 3.1
      22 March 2017 at 6:07 pm

      At least he came clean, he didn’t have to, but he did. Good on him.

      • marty mars 3.1.1
        22 March 2017 at 6:23 pm

        “Dr Mapp denied civilians were killed when the raid became public in 2011″

        and Dr Mapp says
        “In 2014 I was informed that, I saw it on TV in fact, that a three-year-old was killed…”

        and in 2017

        “Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has conceded that civilians were killed in the 2010 Afghanistan raid”

        Came clean? yeah, nah…

        • weka 3.1.1.1
          22 March 2017 at 6:43 pm

          Yeah, there’s something not quite right still about the story he is telling.

          Cinny, I think it’s more a case of having consulted a lawyer he realised he probably did have to come cleanish.

          • McFlock 3.1.1.1.1
            22 March 2017 at 10:10 pm

            No, he could have just claimed official secrets/military issues/ information at the time/pm made the call.

            And he’s validated at least some of the circumstances (3 year old dead, civilian deaths) described in Hager/Stephenson’s book.

  4. mary_a 4
    22 March 2017 at 5:58 pm

    Well done Dr Wayne Mapp for coming out and stating there were civilian casualties during the raids.

    However, he does go on to almost protect John Key and Jerry Mataparae in his statement …

    “He (Key) , like myself, like Jerry Mateparae, act on the advice that we get. The soldiers involved act in accordance with the threat they are dealing with.”

    So who will carry the can here? Some accountability will be required.

    • Cinny 4.1
      22 March 2017 at 6:06 pm

      ‘acting on advice’ whose advice i wonder?

      • Sacha 4.1.1
        22 March 2017 at 6:18 pm

        Code for ‘the military establishment kept me in the dark’.

      • SpaceMonkey 4.1.2
        22 March 2017 at 8:17 pm

        There is this arbitrary line always drawn between the exective and operational matters. Acting on advice… this will come down to an accountability and chain of command issue. It was a fucked up operation that fucked up. The consequences were tragic and criminal. The Nats want to run this country like a corporation then the executive cannot be separated from operational matters, especially where it is a public institution concerned that HAS to hold itself to the highest standards simply because of who they are… and it was the executive that gave a green light to… oh hang on! …an OPERATIONAL MATTER!

        • dukeofurl 4.1.2.1
          23 March 2017 at 9:20 am

          The whole reason for having civilians in control is to say ‘ thanks for your advice, but Im going to say no on this one, or even ‘ wait for some primary evidence and then get back to me’
          These villages are in the middle of nowhere once they have skilled military observers having a look themselves they can see if its real .

          • SpaceMonkey 4.1.2.1.1
            23 March 2017 at 1:42 pm

            Exactly… which is why the buck has to stop somewhere in either NZDF or the Goverment, and more specifically the PM.

            Who’s going to fold first in that fight? John Key’s done a runner so we know he hasn’t got any guts to stand up and be accountable, but then the very act of him scampering away to hide suggests he knows how serious this is and the potential shit he is in.

            And I’m sure the reason why it was escalated to John Key to sign off on was the military knew how bad this could be and were covering their backsides accordingly.

  5. One Anonymous Bloke 5
    22 March 2017 at 6:03 pm

    One of the disasters of war is these terrible things can happen…

    Also, one of the disasters of peace is that terrible things can happen. Sometimes we call them “accidents”. Sometimes we call them “crimes”.

    The security and well-being of our soldiers, and any civilians they encounter on our behalf, is worth far more than John Phillip Key’s legacy.

  6. Ad 6
    22 March 2017 at 6:06 pm

    This story is looking increasingly like the PMs office and NZDF are in successful defence mode.

    • weka 6.1
      22 March 2017 at 6:44 pm

      successful in what sense?

      • SpaceMonkey 6.1.1
        22 March 2017 at 6:57 pm

        That they are blustering their way through… so far so good… for them. Bill English in the House today along the lines of: there’s not enough evidence to start an inquiry based on the allegations of a book. It’s the same old same old… if you don’t look you won’t find anything… ignorance is bliss.

        I hope the ICC pick this one up because the Nats are sure looking like they’re not going to.

      • SpaceMonkey 6.1.2
        22 March 2017 at 6:58 pm

        And turning into a political issue when it’s not.

  7. outofbed 7
    22 March 2017 at 6:09 pm

    all for a trade deal with the US which ain’t going to happen.. bastards

  8. Ross 8
    22 March 2017 at 6:11 pm

    But the deaths will simply be blamed on the US or another country. Unless there’s an inquiry or someone with additional information comes forward, the allegations will likely go nowhere with this government.

    “The New Zealand Defence Force stands by the statement it made dated 20 April 2011. 

    “As the 2011 statement says, following the operation, allegations of civilian casualties were made. These were investigated by a joint Afghan Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Interior and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) assessment team, in accordance with ISAF procedures. 

    “The investigation concluded that the allegations of civilian casualties were unfounded. 

    “The NZDF does not undertake investigations or inquiries into the actions of forces from other nations.  That was the role of the joint Afghan-ISAF investigation.

    “The NZDF is confident that New Zealand personnel conducted themselves in accordance with the applicable rules of engagement.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/90690165/new-book-claims-john-key-gave-green-light-to-deadly-sas-raid-in-afghanistan

    • One Anonymous Bloke 8.1
      22 March 2017 at 6:20 pm

      Some of the people with the information have already come forward. Reading the limited information available, it looks like there is a group within the NZDF who value integrity and the law, and that they have struggled to make their voices heard.

      It’s vital that whistleblowers be valued and protected.

      And promoted, no matter how many reputations that might sully.

  9. Once was Tim now no longer 9
    22 March 2017 at 6:12 pm

    Earth to Wayne ….. are you reading ….over???

    Time (well past time) to put the shit where the shovel is.
    You’ve proven yourself to be more principled than your peers, now cometh the hour

    Are you reading … over????
    ICJ
    …..
    Shit hits fan
    ….

    Wayne, Wayne, are you reading?
    Over

    • r0b 9.1
      22 March 2017 at 6:15 pm

      I suspect that Wayne will have other demands on his time than reading this blog right now!

      I seldom agree with anything that he says here, but I do admire him for participating.

      • Once was Tim now no longer 9.1.1
        22 March 2017 at 7:03 pm

        22 March 2017 at 6:15 pm
        “I suspect that Wayne will have other demands on his time than reading this blog right now!”
        I bet he does including the demands of our current Proim Munster and Guv Genral.
        (going forward)
        It’s a shame none of them have worked out that the best policy is that of truth, as opposed to CT spin.
        When shit comes to shove, it ain’t going to help, and as wonderboy John will discover, he can’t take it with him, and the offspring will eventually discover just what a cunt he is/was.
        CHRIST! Please!!!! don’t tell me a msm media-assisted Tex Pay-ya spin is not going to have to go into deep and meaningful counselling for dear Mex and Sis when the World’s bestest can’t see their nechrul tellent.

        (I’m already grieving)
        GAWD IT’S PAINFUL…. I can’t cope!!!!

        • Once was Tim now no longer 9.1.1.1
          23 March 2017 at 9:05 am

          I’ve subsequently heard Mapp on radio and elsewhere.
          Good on him for finally coming forward – at least it shows he wasn’t going to be thrown under the bus, but as Weka says – there’s still a bit of obfuscation going on, and setting up various ‘lines of defense’ narratives (like: ‘they can be farmers by day and insurgents by night’ – to paraphrase).

    • Chris 9.2
      22 March 2017 at 9:26 pm

      Wayne ain’t sprayin’.

  10. the pigman 10
    22 March 2017 at 6:16 pm

    Wayne lies about it 2011.
    Lies about it continuously, again in 2014.
    Back against the wall, claims it’s been established since 2014 that a 3 year old girl was killed. Cries some crocodile tears.

    *rousing applause from The Standard commentariat*

    • Anne 10.1
      22 March 2017 at 6:31 pm

      Yes, there’s a hint of that pigman. Wayne was – and clearly still is – a very astute politician. He prevaricated a lot in that interview, but at least he’s starting to concede the truth which is more than the rest of them including that stupid Paula Bennett.

    • weka 10.2
      22 March 2017 at 6:48 pm

      The first 3 sentences are probably true, but I suspect the 4th one isn’t. That would be FJK. That’s why Mapp gets some respect, because despite having some fairly abhorrent politics, he still comes across as a human. I’ll take old school conservatives over the smarmy fuck neoliberals thanks.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 10.3
      22 March 2017 at 6:49 pm

      Essentially you’re saying his public statements conflict with his private statements as reported by Stevenson & Hager.

      I see him in a cleft stick. I suspect his job description meant being bound by security clearances and the Cabinet Manual.

      Dishonest, or just compromised and subject to the rules? Or whatever else the National Party uses as pressure.

      We need to get to the bottom of this: vilifying witnesses is a mistake.

      • the pigman 10.3.1
        22 March 2017 at 10:03 pm

        Hey OAB, are you suggesting that Wayne is a witness and that I’m vilifying him? Because that would be an odd charge given the usual standard of your interactions with him…

        I’m suggesting he’s been lying all along, there’s no mea culpa, he’s just a really bad liar, so when he does it, he fucks up and gets caught out.

        See his interview with Guyon Espiner in 2011 where he was really bad at lying and inadvertently let some cats struggle out of the bag: http://pundit.co.nz/content/the-odonnell-raid-in-afghanistan-the-seeds-of-the-new-hager-book

        Then listen to his Newshub interview today where, again only because he is really, really crap at lying, he accidentally confirms 3 year old Fatima was a casualty (but claims he learnt this through TV in 2014)…

        ….
        ….

        And… and… he is still being LAUDED here. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?

        Disclosure: The greatest source of my dislike for the guy is the pomposity he expresses in his posts here given that he is terrible at spelling. If you’re going to be terrible at spelling, don’t try that pompous shit.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 10.3.1.1
          23 March 2017 at 7:29 am

          If there’s going to be an inquiry he will certainly be called as a witness.

          • s y d 10.3.1.1.1
            23 March 2017 at 9:41 am

            and, perhaps later he may be called as a defendant?

            • One Anonymous Bloke 10.3.1.1.1.1
              23 March 2017 at 12:02 pm

              That’s entirely possible. Perhaps he will offer to give evidence against John Phillip Key in exchange for immunity 😈

        • Wensleydale 10.3.1.2
          23 March 2017 at 12:36 pm

          That disclosure made me LOL. I know there are weighty issues being discussed here, but pompous people who can’t spell are still hilarious.

  11. Augustus 11
    22 March 2017 at 6:42 pm

    Dann on One News mentions that Wayne learned about the dead girl on Maori TV. I think he refers to this

    Maybe those who have become sources for Hit and Run are the same who raised the allegations referred to in the article. It states as fact that
    “During the attacks a three-year-old Afghanistan girl died after a piece of the exploding rocket hit her in the head.”
    Key’s line could be read as that New Zealanders didn’t directly kill civilians, not that none were killed. Blame the Yanks.

    [link fixed – weka]

    • Chris 11.1
      23 March 2017 at 1:49 am

      That link’s dead.

    • s y d 11.2
      23 March 2017 at 9:46 am

      Yes Augustus, Mr Key is I think maintaining that either, both or some of each of the following apply:
      1. people don’t kill people, it’s the bullets and rockets that kill people.
      2. it was a US helicopter pilot that fired the rockets
      3. nz’ers only ordered the attack but other people did it, or the bullets did it or somesuch

  12. weka 12
    22 March 2017 at 7:06 pm

    Anyone know why Mapp left parliament?

    • Tricldrown 12.1
      22 March 2017 at 8:04 pm

      Michelle Boag.
      The boag constrictor.
      Tobacco lobbyist’s and T party types took over the National Party.
      Todd Barcley types.

    • exkiwiforces 12.2
      22 March 2017 at 8:26 pm

      Weka,

      From what I’ve been told he and the deputy minister (The lady from ACT) refuse to cut NZDF budget as Treasury instructed. So he was push out so the cuts could go ahead and the end result was the cuts to the NZDF turned to shit. He was the only Defence minister for a long time to stand up to Treasury and Cabinet.

      • Anne 12.3.1
        23 March 2017 at 10:04 am

        The SAS raid in question took place on the 22 Aug. 2010
        Mapp announced he would be retiring at the 2011 election on 15 Dec. 2010.

        I imagine the aftermath of the raid might have had a bearing on his decision to retire especially if he was starting to have grave doubts about the accuracy of what he and his colleagues were told.

  13. weltall89 13
    22 March 2017 at 7:23 pm

    Don’t have anything of value to add, and I am a long-time reader and first time poster here. It’s truly disturbing just how grave this situation is, and my fears are that NZ (and suitable international organisations) will hardly pay it it’s deserved attention, and this will all be fobbed off and swept undee the rug, apart from a small number of aware folk who do their best.

    • Thinkerr 13.1
      22 March 2017 at 9:05 pm

      I dont post a lot, either,weltall89, but dont say you dont have anything of value to add.

      IMHO, every post to this site is valuable, because it allows the powerbrokers of the left to get a picture of how its support base is thinking and which issues are important. I think I’ve even seen some ideas expressed here used as the basis for media articles, although that might be coincidence.

      Keep posting, and try not to let the occasional below-the-belt responses get you down. That’s probably when you said something that got them worried.

      • mickysavage 13.1.1
        22 March 2017 at 9:10 pm

        Yep Matthew Hooton thinks this site is an important window to left thinking. So comment away. The left has never been shy about debating issues.

    • mickysavage 13.2
      22 March 2017 at 9:08 pm

      I appreciate the readers and the thinkers. For every commentator we have there are 60 readers with valid contributions. Don’t be shy!

      • Drowsy M. Kram 13.2.1
        22 March 2017 at 9:45 pm

        Apologies, I have only invective to contribute, by way of self-protection (safety valve).

        Our Government’s embarrassing response to the ‘Hit and Run’ revelations shows yet again that it is rotten to the core. National’s ‘in-your-face’ corruption/contempt makes a mockery of NZ values, and even as the outer shell of deceit collapses English and co. seek to do more harm.

        PLEASE, National, JUST STOP LYING. Really hoped that the Lord of Lies buggering off would help, but it hasn’t.

    • weka 13.3
      22 March 2017 at 10:06 pm

      Like others I find your comment valuable (when I write I think about the non-commenting readers). I’m finding the revelations this week pretty disturbing too, haven’t sifted through that yet to a place where I can express it well.

      • exkiwiforces 13.3.1
        22 March 2017 at 10:24 pm

        I’m no fan of Mr Hager and I’m trying to reframe from making any comments as its a little to close to home for me. But something stinks too high heaven and if Nicky and Co are saying SAS operators from Group have spoken to them about this operation then something wasn’t right from the start to the end of this operation.

        • Anne 13.3.1.1
          22 March 2017 at 10:47 pm

          I’m no fan of Mr Hager…

          Are you letting emotion get in the way exkiwiforces? Not trying to be smart or demeaning btw. Nicky Hager has done some brilliant work. His most acclaimed book to date would have to be Secret Power.

          You clearly have never had the privilege of hearing him speak and meeting him. He’s an engaging speaker and a pleasant and likeable person to talk to. I know he’s touted as being a far-left winger but by my observation, he is neither right nor left.

          • exkiwiforces 13.3.1.1.1
            22 March 2017 at 11:34 pm

            There is no emotion, I’m just not a fan of Mr Hager that’s all.
            As I said something stinks about this operation and for SAS operators from Group to talk to Nicky and Co then something wasn’t right from the start to the end of this operation.

            • In Vino 13.3.1.1.1.1
              23 March 2017 at 12:04 am

              If something wasn’t right, I for one suspect it goes further than just this operation.. I am old, have studied and read history. This strikes me as similar to the cock-ups in World Wars 1 and 2, the My Lai in Vietnam, the crap that went on in Iraq.
              What is wrong with our revered Military?? All that posing at Anzac which our people love, but underneath there is a stench of corruption and hypocrisy, because we support an ally with corrupt policies. USA has made one hell of a botch of the whole Middle East area, and we are in that botch boots and all. And our soldiers are only human.

  14. exkiwiforces 14
    23 March 2017 at 12:45 am

    If Nicky and Co have said that SAS operators from Group have spoken to them about this operation this is news in it’s self it doesn’t happen all that often, but when it does you know something is not right. The SAS operators and others within NZDF must have concerns at the time and still have on this operation from start to finish and I’ve said the whole thing stinks.

    If Nicky and Co are right on what’s happen then a Victory for all of us, if they are wrong we are going to be poorer for it. The Buck must stop somewhere in this whole sorry saga and somebody/ persons need to be held accountable for it. And I’ll keep on saying this the whole thing stinks.

    • greg 14.1
      23 March 2017 at 3:30 am

      buck stops with the wanker thats just bolted, i really hope the ICC takes an interest like pike river,dirty politics there will be no justice from this lot .

    • Tricldrown 14.2
      23 March 2017 at 1:00 pm

      Thanks to our brave SAS soldiers for speaking out.
      Key has slinked off to Hawaii.
      Playing golf .
      Leaving National party spin doctors to clean up his mess and bestow him with a knighthood.

  15. simbit 15
    23 March 2017 at 7:58 am

    A friend of mine was in a platoon in Iraq 1 that shot up a village. The personal repercussions are enormous and, ‘cos bean counters decide, very expensive all round. This is a very typical NZ scandal, denial/relative morality/shrug…

  16. silvertuatara 16
    23 March 2017 at 11:08 am

    I am just waiting for the NZDF to defame either Jon and or Nicky….we know how that last worked out for the NZDF when defaming Jon Stephenson http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11522106

  17. Skeptic 17
    23 March 2017 at 1:32 pm

    While I haven’t read the book yet, there has been some interesting news come out about this particular raid. It was conducted at night on information received. It was conducted with the assistance of US helicopter gunships and Afghan soldiers. The village in question had only one person who was related to a known Taliban fighter. It seems that the majority of casualties were victims of strafing attacks by the gunship(s) but a few were deliberately shot by sniper fire. If these facts are wrong, then my supposition also is.
    The questions I ask are
    (a) who provided the intel – how reliable was it assessed as and by whom?
    (b) what were the rules of engagement and were they adhered to?
    (c) were the after action reports different to what has now been disclosed?
    (d) were the same reports provided to the politicians?
    (e) why were different versions made public at the time and by whom?

    I also deduce from what has been a nasty trend in Afghanistan – that vendettas have been conducted by people against others by means of deliberate false information being fed to Allied intelligence agencies – by debtors, by grudge holders, by feuding families etc.

    Even if such intel had been received, surely our own rules of engagement require positive identification of targets before action, especially before individual rifle fire is taken. This raid was conducted – if the book is right – on a sleeping village by surprise where no counter-fire was received or preceded our attack. Something is not at all right with both the reports and the public reporting at the time – it doesn’t stack up.

    Our own military law, and the ICC law has clear and unambiguous procedures and protocols for troops engaging in warfare in an insurgency situation to follow. Breaking these endangers each individual soldier liable for prosecution under Military Law, ordinary Statutory Law and International Law – a triple liability.

    The cover-up is entirely a different kettle of fish – that is why the call for a Commission of Inquiry is absolutely essential.

    • Anne 17.1
      23 March 2017 at 3:49 pm

      I also deduce from what has been a nasty trend in Afghanistan – that vendettas have been conducted by people against others by means of deliberate false information being fed to Allied intelligence agencies – by debtors, by grudge holders, by feuding families etc.

      I read somewhere yesterday, a story suggesting that is what happened in this case. A villager made up a story about insurgent/insurgents in a particular house. It was motivated by revenge.

      • Skeptic 17.1.1
        23 March 2017 at 4:23 pm

        Wouldn’t surprise me – that’s how all but 12 of the thousands incarcerated in Guantanamo Prison got there. Most of them were there from either family feud – the victim’s great grand father did something to the informant’s great grand niece, or debt avoidance – the informant owed the victim a great deal of money, or petty grievance – the victim got the better of the informant over a trade for a goat or sheep.
        A lot of people who were “rendered” got on the CIA/DIA?Conops lists because of the same thing – there’s a documented case of a whole soccer team bar one or two being detained on the information of a rival team coach. I fault the Intelligence Analyst people for not doing their work properly – they were captured by “Group Think” and “Mind Guards” – a mentality and world view that is somewhat removed from reality. I suspect something of this nature features within our SAS trainers – or did at the time of the incident in question. There was a similar “group think” mentality within the Police SIO who provided the information on the Urewera Raids here in NZ.
        The problem with “group think” is that disaster usually – nearly always – follows. Hitler surrounded himself with yes-men, so did General Galtieri, Stalin, Mao and so does Trump – all these people have a “peculiar world view” and have mind guards to stop others in the group from disagreeing with the “strong mind” of the group.
        Who was the “strong mind” in this disaster?

        • Anne 17.1.1.1
          23 March 2017 at 5:51 pm

          I has a similar experience in NZ about 25 years ago and it involved an arm of the NZ Defence Force. An insanely jealous person reported a telephone conversation to the effect… I was looking for a contract killer with a view to having another person “bumped off”. It occurred around the start of the first Iraq War in January 1991, which gives a wee hint as to the nationality of the supposed victim. What followed was like something out of a fantasy fiction. After a few weeks, it dawned on the idiots in high places (who fell for the story) that they had been had… because suddenly the crap stopped. In the ensuing year or two, I tried to find out who they were and what exactly they had been told, but each time I came up against a brick wall. It was cover-up time. Never mind my honesty and integrity had been destroyed. Too bad… collateral damage that apparently didn’t count.

      • exkiwiforces 17.1.2
        23 March 2017 at 7:48 pm

        Yes it happens on regular a occurrence on just about all of the deployments I’ve been on weather its in the Gan or Peacekeeping and its a real pain in ass for us. So any deliberate operation had to well planned and all intel had to be crossed checked.

        The only time we got it wrong was a non kinetic (without the shooting bit) snatch and grab in Timor 99 where we had breakup blackmarket operation selling UN Food Aid and it was based on false intel. We knew we had the wrong guy from the start, but moral of story we caught the real asshole a few weeks later red handed along with 2 UN official’s as well and as turned out the TNI had their dirty hands all over it as all 3 were from the TNI secret service or whatever it was called.

        • Anne 17.1.2.1
          23 March 2017 at 8:08 pm

          The fallout from my case meant I lost my career. I eventually went to the police because the story involved quite a lot of unlawful and criminal behaviour by persons unknown. Initially they were helpful and I thought they were conducting an investigation then suddenly ‘the line went dead’ and I never heard from them again.

          • exkiwiforces 17.1.2.1.1
            23 March 2017 at 9:06 pm

            Sorry to hear that, yes there can be some real assholes in the mob and sometimes they can’t really handle the truth.

  18. xanthe 18
    23 March 2017 at 2:00 pm

    well I just watched wayne being interviewed on the street and he seems to be speaking dishonestly

    “at the time of the attack the solders thought they were being attacked by insurgents” (this when he said it the second time)

    this is quite deliberate misdirection!

    had he said “at the time of the attacks they thought they were attacking insurgents”

    I could accept that as uninformed opinion (which would be unfortunate enough)

    What he actually said can only be taken as a dishonest attempt to misdirect.

  19. Muttonbird 19
    23 March 2017 at 4:27 pm

    So English and NZDF are both restating there were no civilians killed in this operation and that 12 insurgents were killed.

    That is an intractable position to take. How will they back out of it?

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11823840

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