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Norgrove inquiry 'a priority' says US Gen Petraeus | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Gen David Petraeus has said finding out how kidnapped British aid worker Linda Norgrove died was his "personal priority", according to Downing Street. | |
Gen Petraeus, commander of the international forces in Afghanistan, met David Cameron in London. | |
Evidence suggests Ms Norgrove may have been killed by a US fragmentation grenade during a US rescue attempt. | |
It was first thought that she was killed by her captors, during the rescue mission. | |
A joint US/UK military inquiry will examine exactly how she died. | A joint US/UK military inquiry will examine exactly how she died. |
A Downing Street spokesman said: "General Petraeus said that the investigation was a personal priority for him and emphasised that there would be full cooperation between the US and UK." | |
Gen Petraeus' visit was arranged before Miss Norgrove was killed last week during a US special forces rescue attempt sanctioned by Mr Cameron. | |
The prime minister's office announced on Wednesday that a British coroner would oversee a post-mortem examination on her. | The prime minister's office announced on Wednesday that a British coroner would oversee a post-mortem examination on her. |
Speaking at Prime Minister's Question Time, Mr Cameron said he had stressed to US President Barack Obama that it was "extremely important" there should be a joint US/UK investigation. | |
That inquiry is being led by Brig Rob Nitsch, the Head of Joint Force Support, UK Forces Afghanistan and senior US investigating officer Maj Gen Joseph Votel. | That inquiry is being led by Brig Rob Nitsch, the Head of Joint Force Support, UK Forces Afghanistan and senior US investigating officer Maj Gen Joseph Votel. |
Britain's National Security Adviser Sir Peter Ricketts will meet the Head of US Central Command Afghanistan, Gen James Mattis, later on Wednesday to discuss the case. | Britain's National Security Adviser Sir Peter Ricketts will meet the Head of US Central Command Afghanistan, Gen James Mattis, later on Wednesday to discuss the case. |
Speaking at a news conference in Brussels, the US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said the Taliban put Miss Norgrove in harm's way when they kidnapped her. | |
"The death of this aid worker is a tragedy and we offer condolences to her family and friends," he said. | |
"But I think there's also an important point to be made here. Let's not forget who put her in harm's way, who kidnapped her and who kept her on a mountainside at 8,000ft. | |
"So, this is a terrible tragedy but the Taliban bear the principle responsibility here." | |
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardener said Whitehall officials insist there is no animosity between the US and UK governments over Miss Norgrove's death, just a determination to establish exactly how it happened. | BBC security correspondent Frank Gardener said Whitehall officials insist there is no animosity between the US and UK governments over Miss Norgrove's death, just a determination to establish exactly how it happened. |
But reports have been emerging, unchallenged by senior British officials, that Miss Norgrove was most likely killed by a grenade thrown by a US Navy Seal commando as she crouched down in the dark after escaping from her captors during the rescue mission, our correspondent added. | |
Gen Petraeus is also expected to discuss the UK's defence review, due to be announced next week. | Gen Petraeus is also expected to discuss the UK's defence review, due to be announced next week. |
Foreign and defence ministers of Nato member countries have been meeting in Brussels to consider changes to the alliance's strategy. | Foreign and defence ministers of Nato member countries have been meeting in Brussels to consider changes to the alliance's strategy. |
Issues like missile defence and nuclear disarmament are on the agenda, as Nato seeks to adapt itself to new security challenges against the backdrop of Afghanistan. | Issues like missile defence and nuclear disarmament are on the agenda, as Nato seeks to adapt itself to new security challenges against the backdrop of Afghanistan. |