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Terror Networks
Al-Qaeda offers $625,000 for Prince Harry's Head
2007-04-27
A BOUNTY of $625,000 has been put on the head of Prince Harry once he lands in Iraq, government officials say. Insurgents affiliated to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network are circulating the offer, sources at the Foreign Office and Defence Ministry confirm. The bounty is for information leading to the prince's death.

Army chiefs fear an attack on two British soldiers last week was a practice run for an attempt to kill the prince. Iraqi troops and police are being tempted by the offer to break ranks and reveal the prince's whereabouts.

He is expected to arrive as early as next month, but there is still debate in Britain as to whether Harry should go. The chief fear is that soldiers under his command will come under greater threat, given the obvious target Britain's third in line to the throne would be.

Army chiefs fear a dry run in preparation to kill the prince has already been made. An attack last week was on the same type of vehicle the prince will use and took place in the part of the country where he is due to be deployed. Two soldiers died when their Scimitar was hit by a roadside bomb.

Harry will command four Scimitars and 11 troops. The prince has told friends he is "not afraid to die", saying after coping with the death of his mother, Princess Diana, he is ready to handle the rigours of operations.

But the attack has meant a last-minute review. Army chiefs have drawn up contingency plans to fly Harry to Kuwait if they believe a base has come under attack because he is a target.

Militia leaders say they have downloaded photographs of the prince from the internet and distributed them among insurgent groups. Already one militia group has declared its intention to kill the prince.

Abu Zaid, commander of the Malik Ibn Al Ashtar Brigade of the Shia militia group the Medhi Army, has vowed to cut off Harry's ears. "We are awaiting the arrival of the young, handsome, spoilt prince with bated breath, and we confidently expect he will come out into the open on the battlefield," he said. "We will be generous with him. For we will return him to his grandmother, but without ears," he said.
Any chance we could just, you know, whack Abu? Might not be the most sporting thing but then, he's asking for it.
Harry is a second lieutenant with the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals regiment, and has threatened to quit if he is not sent to Iraq with the rest of his regiment.
Posted by:Oztralian

#19  It could have been equally stupid as dressing like a Nazi. The point remains that Harry really does not bring much to the party. He's not a seasoned combatant, therefore he is there pretty much only for show. I'll admire his courage but still question the wisdom of his actions.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-04-27 23:56  

#18  invoking Harry/Hitler? that lack of merit's an equally disengenious invocation of Godwin's Law
Posted by: Frank G   2007-04-27 23:49  

#17  Iran, Ken Livingstone, Galloway have nothing to do with your comment on Prince Harry.

Horseradish, if more important Britons were showing a little backbone then maybe Prince Harry wouldn't feel the urge to throw himself in harm's way.

You can do better than that. Hell, sometimes even Prince Harry can do better.

Posted by: Zenster   2007-04-27 23:42  

#16  Iran, Ken Livingstone, Galloway have nothing to do with your comment on Prince Harry. They may bear on your frustration (understood) with others....

Do better
Posted by: Frank G   2007-04-27 23:04  

#15  your comments about others? Agreed. Your muddling of the argument with his Dad, questions about increased risk to his crew? Bullshit. You're wrong on this one. Don't "mealy mouth" and it's cool. I've made PLENTY of mistakes here, admitted. Time you admitted one of your own, and reflect a bit. I feel VERY strongly on this one. I'm calling you on this, Zen.
Posted by: Frank G   2007-04-27 22:58  

#14  Frank, I wish Harry no harm. I'm just fed up with Iran getting off of the hook for decades. Besides their role in the Coalition, Britain has done little to stem the onslaught of Muslim colonization in Europe. The Anglican Church, Ken Livingstone and George Galloway all come across as monumental appeasers. Only of late has Britain even begun to lock up its worst Islamic radicals. Britain's recent capitulation in the Iranian hostage crisis was consistently shameful.

While Harry himself seems to be acquitting himself rather well, his own father stands as one of the biggest appeasers of them all. Much more progress might be achieved if Harry directed his efforts towards making his father see the light. NONE of this promises to do any good in thwarting Iran's incessant meddling. Meddling that is KILLING American troops.

While it's difficult not to laud Harry's willingness to lead by example, I also have to question the wisdom of him going to Iraq. How much extra security will be put in place because of him? The article mentions airlifting him to Kuwait in case of danger. All of this represents a diversion of vital resources. With British spine in such short supply, I'm obliged to support Harry's determination to show some. It's just a pity that others who are more capable and influential have chosen the path of appeasement.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-04-27 22:44  

#13  ...rapid, damn I hate the spell prompting system ...
Posted by: JustAboutEnough   2007-04-27 22:31  

#12  The problem for the Brits is that the Scimitar is a light, think skinned recon/cavalry vehicle. Great for open fields and repaid exploitation of new territory held by light forces, but a death trap in urban patrolling where the shaped charge had been perfected over the past few years. Stones notwithstanding, Harry will draw a lot of attention in a crappy vehicle for the mission....
Having a legless Prince come back from Iraq is problematic for the Brits.
Posted by: JustAboutEnough   2007-04-27 22:30  

#11  shit. Even Dr. Evil paid:"....one...million..dollars"

cheap Islamic shysters
Posted by: Frank G   2007-04-27 22:24  

#10  So are they paying in US dollars or Euros? Rat ba$tards.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2007-04-27 21:05  

#9  Think of the possibilities!

Set up an extremely lethal kill zone, then let it be known to the usual suspects that Prince Harry is there, just hanging out, an easy target for even a dumbass with an AK to take out and easily make his escape after cutting off His Highness' head as proof.

Then dig a BIG ditch with a backhoe to put the bodies in, when they show up for easy kill.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2007-04-27 19:57  

#8  I too, think FU on the "royal brat" angle, Zen. The man has done his duty, is more than willing to step into harm's way, knowing it would be a nasty end if captured. He deserves your respect. You're better than that
Posted by: Frank G   2007-04-27 19:27  

#7  I give Harry a lot of credit for wanting to get into the fight with his troops. It is what he has trained for. He clearly has the stones to do it, so I would lay off the "royal brat" angle. He may, in fact, be a beacon to his real countrymen and help wake them up to the threat of the islamonuts in their midst.

I say good on ya Harry. And good hunting.
Posted by: remoteman   2007-04-27 19:15  

#6  The bounty on muslim ears is going to be much cheaper.
Posted by: Excalibur   2007-04-27 19:10  

#5  The Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals regiment is not the navy. They are much like the Scot's guard. If Al-qaeda does take down the prince, it will be over a mound of dead. Mostly them but with all the soldiers protecting the prince.
Posted by: DarthVader   2007-04-27 18:54  

#4  I'm at the point where if it takes the kidnap of a royal brat to begin festivities with Iran, then so be it.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-04-27 18:41  

#3  I think Harry should rethink this given the latest conducts of Her Majesty's Armed Forces. He might end up a guest of Iran.
Posted by: Cyber Sarge   2007-04-27 18:35  

#2  That's an insult. With all that oil money, they should be offering at least a million quid.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2007-04-27 18:05  

#1  Wakeup call for Britain. Do a poll and see how many of your Muslims support this turn of events. A public shitstorm would ensue.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-04-27 18:01  

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