John
10-14-2010, 06:55 PM
The top US general in Afghanistan told David Cameron the investigation into Linda Norgrove's death remains a "personal priority" for him as the aid worker's body arrived back in the UK.
General David Petraeus discussed the botched rescue attempt that killed her with David Cameron at No 10 shortly before the Foreign Office confirmed her body had been repatriated.
He "emphasised that there would be full co-operation between the US and UK," according to a statement from Downing St.
The pair also discussed Afghanistan and agreed the training of the Afghan National Security Forces had to remain top of the agenda.
"General Petraeus thanked the PM for the ongoing British commitment to Afghanistan and for the valued contribution made by British troops, civilians and equipment," the statement added.
Ms Norgrove, 36, was killed along with six of her Taliban kidnappers during a botched rescue attempt by American special forces in the east of the country.
General Petraeus did not respond to reporters' questions outside No 10, according to chief political correspondent Jon Craig.
His visit to Downing Street comes as it was reported she was killed when a US soldier failed to spot she had broken away from her captors.
The Guardian said she was already lying in a foetal position to protect herself when an American grenade was thrown during Friday night's mission.
The newspaper said it had established, from sources in Kabul and London, that the soldier who threw the device was facing disciplinary action over her death.
US officials initially claimed Ms Norgrove was killed by a bomb vest worn by one of her kidnappers.
The entire operation was reportedly watched on widescreen TVs at the command centre - which raises questions about whether the American military was trying to cover up how she was killed.
A joint US/UK investigation, led by General Petraeus - the supreme commander of Nato troops in Afghanistan - is underway to find out exactly how she died.
Mr Cameron, who has already spoken to the general and President Obama about the incident, said yesterday: "It is an impossibly difficult decision to make about whether to launch a raid and try to free a hostage.
"In the end we must all be clear: the responsibility for Linda's death lies with those cowardly, ruthless people who took her hostage in the first place."
Ms Norgrove, from the Isle of Lewis, was working for the US firm Development Alternatives Inc (DAI) when she was seized by militants in Afghanistan's Kunar province on September 26.
During the meeting, Gen Petraeus will also be told about the PM's planned defence cutbacks.
There have been concerns in Washington that scaling back Britain's military strength will have implications for the UK's ability to support the US in present and future wars.
Source - Yahoo News.
General David Petraeus discussed the botched rescue attempt that killed her with David Cameron at No 10 shortly before the Foreign Office confirmed her body had been repatriated.
He "emphasised that there would be full co-operation between the US and UK," according to a statement from Downing St.
The pair also discussed Afghanistan and agreed the training of the Afghan National Security Forces had to remain top of the agenda.
"General Petraeus thanked the PM for the ongoing British commitment to Afghanistan and for the valued contribution made by British troops, civilians and equipment," the statement added.
Ms Norgrove, 36, was killed along with six of her Taliban kidnappers during a botched rescue attempt by American special forces in the east of the country.
General Petraeus did not respond to reporters' questions outside No 10, according to chief political correspondent Jon Craig.
His visit to Downing Street comes as it was reported she was killed when a US soldier failed to spot she had broken away from her captors.
The Guardian said she was already lying in a foetal position to protect herself when an American grenade was thrown during Friday night's mission.
The newspaper said it had established, from sources in Kabul and London, that the soldier who threw the device was facing disciplinary action over her death.
US officials initially claimed Ms Norgrove was killed by a bomb vest worn by one of her kidnappers.
The entire operation was reportedly watched on widescreen TVs at the command centre - which raises questions about whether the American military was trying to cover up how she was killed.
A joint US/UK investigation, led by General Petraeus - the supreme commander of Nato troops in Afghanistan - is underway to find out exactly how she died.
Mr Cameron, who has already spoken to the general and President Obama about the incident, said yesterday: "It is an impossibly difficult decision to make about whether to launch a raid and try to free a hostage.
"In the end we must all be clear: the responsibility for Linda's death lies with those cowardly, ruthless people who took her hostage in the first place."
Ms Norgrove, from the Isle of Lewis, was working for the US firm Development Alternatives Inc (DAI) when she was seized by militants in Afghanistan's Kunar province on September 26.
During the meeting, Gen Petraeus will also be told about the PM's planned defence cutbacks.
There have been concerns in Washington that scaling back Britain's military strength will have implications for the UK's ability to support the US in present and future wars.
Source - Yahoo News.