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Linda Norgrove inquiry a priority, says US commander | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The commander of international forces in Afghanistan has said finding out how kidnapped British aid worker Linda Norgrove died is his "priority". | |
Downing Street reported General David Petraeus's comments after he met Prime Minister David Cameron in London. | |
It was first thought that Miss Norgrove was killed by her captors during the US rescue mission, but evidence suggests it may have been a US grenade. | |
The Foreign Office said her body was repatriated to the UK on Thursday. | |
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 co-operation between the US and UK." | |
Gen Petraeus's 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 body. | |
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. | 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 Brigadier Rob Nitsch, the Head of Joint Force Support, UK Forces Afghanistan and senior US investigating officer Major General Joseph Votel. | |
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. | 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. | "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 8,000 feet. | |
"So, this is a terrible tragedy but the Taliban bear the principal responsibility here." | |
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardener says 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 probably 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 adds. | |
Gen Petraeus was 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. |