'Shoot-to-kill' demand by US

The Observer (U.K.) ^ | 11/16/03 | Martin Bright

[Pokey78]

Home Secretary David Blunkett has refused to grant diplomatic immunity to armed American special agents and snipers travelling to Britain as part of President Bush's entourage this week. In the case of the accidental shooting of a protester, the Americans in Bush's protection squad will face justice in a British court as would any other visitor, the Home Office has confirmed.

The issue of immunity is one of a series of extraordinary US demands turned down by Ministers and Downing Street during preparations for the Bush visit.

These included the closure of the Tube network, the use of US air force planes and helicopters and the shipping in of battlefield weaponry to use against rioters.

In return, the British authorities agreed numerous concessions, including the creation of a 'sterile zone' around the President with a series of road closures in central London and a security cordon keeping the public away from his cavalcade.

The White House initially demanded the closure of all Tube lines under parts of London to be visited during the trip. But British officials dismissed the idea that a suicide bomber could kill the President by blowing up a Tube train. Ministers are also believed to have dismissed suggestions that a 'sterile zone' around the President should be policed entirely by American special agents and military.

Demands for the US air force to patrol above London with fighter aircraft and Black Hawk helicopters have also been turned down.

The President's protection force will be armed - as Tony Blair's is when he travels abroad - and around 250 secret service agents will fly in with Bush, but operational control will remain with the Metropolitan Police.

The Americans had also wanted to travel with a piece of military hardware called a 'mini-gun', which usually forms part of the mobile armoury in the presidential cavalcade. It is fired from a tank and can kill dozens of people. One manufacturer's description reads: 'Due to the small calibre of the round, the mini-gun can be used practically anywhere. This is especially helpful during peacekeeping deployments.'

Ministers have made clear to Washington that the firepower of the mini-gun will not be available during the state visit to Britain. In return, the Government has agreed to close off much of Whitehall during the visit - the usual practice in Britain is to use police outriders to close roads as the cavalcade passes to cause minimal disruption to traffic.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'Negotiations between here and the US have been perfectly amicable. If there have been requests, they have not posed any problems.'

An internal memo sent to Cabinet Office staff and leaked to the press this weekend urged staff to work from home if at possible during the presidential visit. Serious disruption would be caused by 'the President Bush vehicle entourage requesting cleared secured vehicle routes around London and the security cordons creating a sterile zone around him'.

Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing between police and demonstrators about the route of the march. Representatives of the Stop the War Coalition will meet police at Scotland Yard tomorrow to discuss whether protesters will be able to march through Parliament Square and Whitehall. Spokesman Andrew Burgin said he hoped for 'a good old-fashioned British compromise'.

martin.bright@observer.co.uk

[CindyDawg]

Why is he even over there, anyway?

[Servant of the 9]

Time to cancel the trip. Brit shooting laws leave zero room for justification. If any agent has to shoot he will be locked up for life. It is not right to subject them to that.

So9

[The Mayor]

Bump!

[eddie willers]

They'd better protect his ass....that's all I've got to say.

[Humidston]

I wish he'd just stay here. Every time he has to leave the country I hold my breath and pray really hard. It's just too dangerous!

[Paul C. Jesup]

In the case of the accidental shooting of a protester, the Americans in Bush's protection squad will face justice in a British court as would any other visitor, the Home Office has confirmed.

To a degree I actually I agree with this position. Giving absolute immunity to the Secret Sercive is an invitiation for the type of abuse of power commited by the Nazi Gestapo and the Ancient Roman Pretoria Guard.

[Lessismore]

Bush ought to have extraterritorial sovreignty over all of England for the duration of his stay. Buckingham Palace would make a decent place to stay -- just have the Royal trailer trash move to Balmoral for the duration.

[CindyDawg]

They should have just taken the weapons they wanted and asked for forgiveness if necessary instead of permission. You know when he's due back?

[dts32041]

Not to mention waco and ruby ridge.

[Humidston]

I think he'll be there for most of the week, but I may be wrong.

[supercat]

The issue of immunity is one of a series of extraordinary US demands turned down by Ministers and Downing Street during preparations for the Bush visit.

These included the closure of the Tube network, the use of US air force planes and helicopters and the shipping in of battlefield weaponry to use against rioters.

Did Bush really ask London to shut down the Underground, or are they talking about a different Tube?

[ASTM366]

Flash! Flash! Flash!

American security forces fought there way out of London leaving hundreds dead and wounded after an Al-Queda car bomb attack in central London which targeted President Bush.

Most of the dead had mistakenly rushed to the edge of the street, only to be mowed down by automatic gunfire, as they sought to watch President Bush's caravan rush by as it proceeded to a military airbase on the outskirts of London. One news reporter had overheard an American security officer exclaim, "Ammo's cheap and there was one helluva lot of ragheads on the street in London".

American security personnel escaped with President Bush in Air Force One, two C141 Starlifters and three C5A's.

The White House issued no comments regarding protests from the British government.

[kayak]

Well, I can't verify it but I have heard that, at the Queen's invitation, the Bushes are indeed staying at Buckingham Palace. I think there's room for both families there without too much crowding ... ;-)

[tubavil]

Very bad timing. He should *not* go.

[squidly]

He'll be there three days.

[AmericanVictory]

I was there at the time of the big peace march in London before the war and they shut down the tube. Why not this time?

[Coroner]

He could stay in Charles room. Prince Charles could spend the week with his boyfriend!!

[Prodigal Son]

To a degree I actually I agree with this position. Giving absolute immunity to the Secret Sercive is an invitiation for the type of abuse of power commited by the Nazi Gestapo and the Ancient Roman Pretoria Guard.

I agree.

[Prodigal Son]

Why is he even over there, anyway?

State visit.