Expert: Taliban Was Targeting Harry

Royals Watcher Says It Knew Prince Was Serving In Afghan And Was Trying To "Take Him Out"

(CBS)  The Taliban was aware that Britain's Prince Harry was on active army duty in Afghanistan and was looking to "take him out," according to a longtime royals watcher.

Robert Jobson, author and Royal Correspondent for the London Evening Standard said on The Early Show Monday that the Taliban learned of Harry's presence by late last year, and hoped to "take him out and have all the publicity that would go with that."

Harry, who returned to Britain over the weekend, had his assignment to Afghanistan cut short when word of his secret presence there leaked.

The prince, Jobson observed, is "a very young man. He was enjoying the military combat that he was out there doing. He's a bit disappointed (to have it end), but hey, he's in the army, and that's life."

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To see photos of Harry on duty in Afghanistan, click here.

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Jobson says it's his "understanding is that (Harry) will not be going (back) on military frontline duties for probably between 12 and 18 months. And that's what he's been told by his commanding officer. I think it would be quite unlikely, it may be too risky to other soldiers if he's sent out again.

"This has worked -- the arrangement with the British media and other media organizations (to stay mum on Harry being in Afghanistan) -- for ten weeks, and ten weeks only. ... It's probably too risky to send Harry on frontline duty at the moment, and I think his commanding officers in Britain are saying exactly the same thing. But they are giving him hope (of returning to the frontlines), and they will review the situation between 12 and 18 months."

CBS News correspondent Richard Roth says Britain's military chiefs are downplaying expectations the experience will be repeated soon. The head of the army says another royal deployment would be "way off in the future."

Harry "says he wants to be a career soldier," Jobson points out. "I think, as a member of the royal family, he may well have to do other duties, get his head down, use the experience he's gained from being an army officer and get out there and sort of bat for Great Britain, PLC, if you like. That's his job as a member of the royal family, and maybe he'll knuckle down to it, not spend time in nightclubs!"

Queen Elizabeth herself was on board with Harry's deployment, Jobson pointed out, saying, "The queen is a very stoic figure. She's obviously a grandmother, and has emotional feelings for her grandsons like that, but she is the head of state. She's also the commander in chief of the British army. Therefore, she has advised her grandson quite clearly that, if he's in the army, and wants to be a career soldier, not a toy solider, he has to go on frontline duties. It was her who understands that. She's proud, but she'll obviously be aware of the 11,000 other British servicemen in both Iraq and Afghanistan whose families will be going through exactly the same things that she and Prince Charles did."

What about Harry's brother, Prince William? Will he be headed off to war, as well?

He's reportedly due to serve soon on a British warship, says Roth.

The British press is humming with speculation on William's military fate, and Jobson notes Harry "is the next in line to the throne after Prince Charles, so there's a different situation here. He, obviously, is an army officer, but at the moment, he's with the Royal Air Force, and then he's going to have an assignment with the Royal Navy. It's inevitable and essential that he does exactly the same as Prince Harry. If he's in the Royal Navy as an officer, he has to go on active duties, but there are different circumstances as a royal naval officer on frontline or combat duties from being a frontline foot soldier, as Harry was, and I believe William will go in active areas for the Royal Navy."

On Sunday, Harry gave his first interview since returning home and, reports Roth, Harry's "come back from the front transformed in the British press from the party prince to the humble hero."

Harry said, "It (being on active duty) was fantastic. It was an opportunity that I was wanting to do the whole time and, to be able to do it, I was hugely grateful for having the opportunity."

The secret tour of combat duty has made Harry eligible for a medal and a $10,000 a year pay hike that kicks in next month, when he'll have finished two years in the army, Roth says.

Harry says he now has a distaste for military field rations, but an appetite for battle: "I did enjoy it a little bit, more than, I suppose, I should, not in a sick way, but no, I enjoyed being out there, I suppose."

As for any future frontline service: "Hopefully, for my brother, as well, there' a possibility that it can work. We just have to wait and see for the future."

[susanli1985]

we must do our best to fight the Taliban ,a organization we must detroy as soon as possible.....
at the same time ,we also are very pleased to seeethat Harry has been sticking on...maybe I''m wrong ,but the http://www.iasiancenter.com give the most appropriate remarks...Good!Good!Good!Come!Come!Come!Hot!Hot!Hot!##########----------------

[quetzal0666]

hey this guy actually served his country....
how many in this US adminiastration can claim that?

[rhunter10]

Palouse01: So you would be happier if he had been killed, maimed, or captured and tortured? The casualties of this misbegotten war go far beyond the physical; it''s obviously corroding the very souls of so-called allies to produce this remarkably bitter hatred. God help this nation when your hate turns soldier against soldier.

[jackharry11]

History lesson for, harp1963
England are NOT in Ireland

[marcpcbs]

It''s not hard to figure out that the Taliban would be after a prize like Harry. It was never a good idea to put him there in the first place because he just endangered every one around him.

Glad he made it out OK.

[lawyertom1]

One had only to note that Harry was surrounded by his mates, all of whom were Gurkhas, to know that they were being very cautious about his safety. If you want a tough bodyguard, Gurkhas are the ones.

[tburzio]

Cowards make fun of heroes.

My husband and friends put their lives on the line daily and many of them are not making it home. We really do not care about Prince Harry.

Posted by Palouse01
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Yes, I know the photos were staged.
Yes, I know he was well protected.
Yes, I know he was not ever put in any real danger relative to those fighting this atrocity.

But I also know that this story does not detract one tiny iota from the sacrifice that you, your husband, and your friends are making. Your husband is an authentic hero. Those of us who were in the service, especially, know this. Please believe me...

[fairandbal]

Bullshhhhhitttt. The lengths the media will go to for a story. The taliban probably doesn''''t give a rat''''s azz about Harry. Oh, and before I forget the ludicrous lead in I heard on the news last night...Harry is not a hero. Give me a break.

Posted by kiwi_chick at 01:57 PM : Mar 03, 2008

At least the Brits leadership puts their own children on the line if they start wars. Here''s it''s always "rich man''s war, poor man''s fight".

YOU have watched WAY to many John Whayne Movies there. LMAO They are FANTASY Sparky, not the REAL thing.

Posted by skyk at 02:45 PM : Mar 03, 2008
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Actually, I despise John Wayne. And I can remember from my own military service days how the Marines referred to him. They referred to him using his real name.
Now you must say this in with a very derogatory emphasis on the name...
"I wonder what Marion would do here?"

I heard that so many times from the Marines when I was in the Navy...
They knew he was a hollywood phoney.

[jetlizhan]

so glad that cute harry''s outta that hel1-hole. don''t go back please!!

[skyk-2009]

This is a little silly, but it does occur to me that the US Marines would love to have him. He would attract the taliban - the marines would kill the taliban. They''''d love it...


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Posted by hadenough43 at 02:28 PM : Mar 03, 2008
+ report abuse

YOU have watched WAY to many John Whayne Movies there. LMAO They are FANTASY Sparky, not the REAL thing.

[skyk-2009]

Prince Harry is safe now.


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Posted by denn034 at 02:34 PM : Mar 03, 2008
+ report abuse

Taliban? Is that the same Taliban that Sir Lies-A-Lot told us wasn''t important anymore back in 2003. Now talk about a blunder! Leaving them alive while you attacked a Nation that had nothing to do with the attack on us. Not what you would call a bell ringer there.

[denn034]

Prince Harry is safe now.

This is a little silly, but it does occur to me that the US Marines would love to have him. He would attract the taliban - the marines would kill the taliban. They''d love it...

[dangeroushen]

You forgot Brownshit!

[watcher269-2009]

BUSHIT!

Blairshit!

[kiwi_chick]

Bullshhhhhitttt. The lengths the media will go to for a story. The taliban probably doesn''t give a rat''s azz about Harry. Oh, and before I forget the ludicrous lead in I heard on the news last night...Harry is not a hero. Give me a break.

[misssuzq]

I read this opinion below after I posted my on view point.
He was there for 10 weeks not the 6 months he was slated for because of the Drude report, fool.
It is not about the Prince anymore, that report endangered more lives because of Harry and the target on his back.
It was poor journalism.
There are millions of people risking their lives every day but this story is about some jerk making a report that is just one notch above gossip, to expose one man who is trying to be of use and exposing many other troops!

"I cannot believe you would think that the American people care that this little punk was in Afghanistan for 10 weeks. 10 weeks poor baby, My husband has been there for 6 months and has another 11 to go.
It is disrespectful for your show to be concerned for a British Monarchy. Add to the fact the he is shown with a 5 O%u2019clock shadow and long hair. I think the photos were staged.
My husband and friends put their lives on the line daily and many of them are not making it home. We really do not care about Prince Harry.
Posted by Palouse01"

[misssuzq]

The American press pulled a huge blunder when they exposed Harry''s deployment.

What purpose did it have? None.

They risked the lives of the troops Harry was with.

It was a selfish move and one that I hope gets them in a lot of hot water.