Author: Inquiry welcome but Parker baffling
Hit and Run author Jon Stephenson is glad the Government will hold an inquiry into the allegations of civilian deaths at the hands of Kiwi SAS soldiers.
But he questioned why the Government appeared to ‘‘muddy the waters’’ by mentioning unseen video footage of armed individuals when announcing the inquiry.
Attorney-general David Parker announced the inquiry on Wednesday. He said questions remained over what happened during Operation Burnham – a raid on a village in Afghanistan in 2010 – which was detailed in Hit and Run, written by Nicky Hager and Stephenson.
The book alleges the raid resulted in the deaths of six civilians, including a small child, and the wounding of 15 others.
‘‘In deciding whether to initiate an inquiry I have considered material including certain video footage of the operation,’’ Parker said.
‘‘The footage I have reviewed does not seem to me to corroborate some key aspects of the book Hit & Run.
‘‘The footage suggests that there was a group of armed individuals in the village.’’
The inquiry will consider whether the SAS was acting outside its brief and whether it acted within the rules of engagement and international humanitarian law.
The Battle of Baghak and the events covered in the Stuff Circuit investigation won’t be part of the inquiry because it’s already been the subject of an army Court of Inquiry, Parker said.
Stephenson anticipated submitting to the inquiry – along with some of his sources.
He said the fact the inquiry could take evidence under oath in secret and protect the identity of witnesses would mean his sources would be comfortable – particularly the ones who were serving at the time.
‘‘It appears that the terms of reference are sufficiently broad to enable Sir Geoffrey Palmer and Sir Terence Arnold to ask the questions that I believe need to be asked,’’ Stephenson said.
‘‘I’m pleased that the issue of NZ involvement in transferring detainees to the Afghan secret police, who are well known to torture detainees, is going to be examined.’’
But he was baffled why Parker had appeared to ‘‘muddy the waters’’ regarding the video.
‘‘I was frankly astonished that having acknowledged there was a prima facie need for an inquiry into the allegations in the book, the attorney-general then appeared to muddy the waters by commenting on one of the aspects of the book without by his own admission having seen all the footage or knowing all the facts.
‘‘To me that was highly inappropriate and prejudicial and something that should have been left to Sir Geoffrey Palmer and Sir Terence Arnold to consider.’’
Stephenson said he was hopeful the inquiry would cut through all the spin and personal animosity some felt towards Hager.