Well Done, General Dannatt. Cry out for Harry, England & St. George. By the way, the RN & the RM might want to stiffen their lads' spirits, as well. If their Prince, is in Iraq, the conduct of their off-shore, ship's inspections become the more important.

But, in thruth, this whole matter could have been resolved within the B&R. One of oldest axiom of war, is that - you cannot lead, if no one will follow. If this was such a dangerous matter, the B&R should have done what the army has always done. Send out the RSM, privately, to find the Prince, 13-17 volunteers to form his squad & be done with it. What red-blooded, English lad would not want to be endangered along side a Royal Prince. Boys, just think of the Black Prince at Crecy, with King Harry at Agincourt, and on, on, on.

The circumstances may not be quite the same, but they are not all that different, either. We are the good guys, and they (the flilthy W...., I mean insurgents) are the bad guys, the enemy.

Michael Sorrell, Brit working in the USA, Las Vegas, NV, USA

What a schmozzle - here we have Pommy General Dannatt sticking his neck out giving his blessings to Lt Harry Windor's deployment in Iraq. G forbid he be so BOLD.
It will be quite another spectacle should things go horribly wrong - I am staking the good General will be in utter denial, and the paparrazi misquoted him. Mark my words.

aussiechick, Queensland, Australia

Don't forget about betrayal from within by a renegade. This and US are governments that pretends loyalty is issued by government on a piece of paper, and lie to themselves when in private.

Old Atlantic, Atlantic City, NJ

I am reminded of Barbara Tuchman's account of a conversation between British and French military commanders, as they tried to anticipate a German invasion:
"What is the smallest British force that would be of use to you?," asked the British officer.
"A single soldier," replied the Frenchman. "And I would see to it that he was killed at once."
Think of the effect on British support for the war in Iraq should Prince Harry be injured or - God forbid! - killed by hostile forces there.
That being said, I support the man's right to be deployed with his troops. And I wish him all good luck.

Scott Walker, MD, Fennimore, WI, USA

All right now, news media, you've had your innings: for pity's sake quit giving possible attackers a good look at his face. A body would think you *want* something to happen to him.

LJD, upstate New York, US,

May god allow him to do his job and bring him home safely.

Lou DeSantis, North Royalton, USA / Ohio

From an American Army Lieutenant:

Way to go Harry...incredibly honorable!
If I lived in England, you'd have my vote for King!

To the media: Now shut up about it and let the Lieutenant do his job!

Stu, Kaysville, Utah, USA

I am very impressed by Prince Harry's courage and dedication to want to do this and I am surprised that people do not acknowledge his loyalty to his fellow soldiers in wanting to serve alongside them. There is a pragmatic case against his seeing active service in Iraq but it seems largely to be based on false assumptions about intelligence concerning his movements and activities being readily available to those who would wish him harm. I think we should rejoice that we see again bravery in a young man and a spirit of service in the Royal Family.

Edward Green, Oxford, uk

The chief of staff has made the right decision. Besides, let Harry accomplish his wish of fight alongside his fellow soldiers. That's what he is/was trained for. Let him be part of the men out in the battlefront fighting for the country that he may one day be it's king.

Max, Suva, Fiji

As a matter of military strategy, he should not be treated as a regular "bloc" and allowed to go to combat, because he is not just any guy. The enemy would score a victory if they can get him.
On a matter of political stragegy, of course he ought to go, and lead by example.
Since this is a war, military stragegy should prevail and Harry should restrain. I am sure that the Brit soldiers can handle the hostiles with or with out Harry. The UK knows that Harry, as a royal, he is ready and eager to go. The Queen Mom stayed in London during the bombing. It runs in their blood.

Roland, Chico, California USA

And when Price Harry is kidnapped, as Iraqi resistance forces intensify their attempts, or worse - if he is killed in action, what have we achieved by doing that??????

Prince Harry, is not an average Joe. As such, he needs to understand that him going to Iraq may not be the wisest decision.

I hope that the the army as well as members of the royal family have what it takes to be able to reconsider this decision, before it is too late.

Moshe, Santa Clara, California, USA

What a schmozzle. Here we have a Pommmy General (CIS) sticking his neck out bestowing his blessings on Lt Harry Windsor's deployment in Iraq. The good Gen Dannatt mark my word, will be backtracking, and in utter denial should things go skiwiff and troops are endangered. As is usual with the Brass, he will claim the paparrazi misquoted him and denigrated his position. There will be more of a Watergate this time around - you'll see.

aussiechick, Queensland, Australia

A lot of focus on whether Harry should go to Iraq because of the risk to his life. But what are the political implications of a member of the Royal Family killing someone else? What will happen if history deems the war illegal and a (possible) future head of state as a participant? Interviewing Blair was scandal enough - can you imagine the fuss when the monarch goes up for war crimes?

Craig, London,