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Miliband issues 'hit squad' ID vow
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David Miliband has insisted that he was determined to discover how fake British passports were used in a hit linked to the Israeli secret service Mossad.
As the fallout from the assassination of a Hamas commander continued, the Foreign Secretary branded the abuse of ID documents "outrageous" and demanded that Tel Aviv co-operate fully with the UK's investigation.
But, after being called in to discuss the situation with officials in London, Israel's ambassador, Ron Prosor, flatly denied there was any "additional information" to give.
Dubai police have revealed that cloned passports belonging to six British Israelis and three Irish citizens were among 11 European identity papers used by a hit squad who allegedly killed Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in the Gulf state last month.
Senior officers say they are "99% certain" that Mossad was behind the murder. Tel Aviv has refused to confirm or deny the link.
Interpol put out an alert in a bid to trace the 11 members of the alleged hit squad and prevent them travelling using the false passports.
Mr Miliband told reporters he wanted to give Israel "every opportunity to share with us what it knows about this incident".
"We hope and expect that they will co-operate fully with the investigation that has been launched by the Prime Minister and will be undertaken by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca)," he said.
Mr Miliband rejected suggestions that the UK Government was merely "going through the motions" of asking questions about the incident.
"There's obviously been a very serious incident involving British passports... we think it is right to have the investigation the Prime Minister has launched," he said. "That is not going through the motions, that is the rightful business of government."
Reader views (16)
After the cover up of Dr Kelly's mysterious death, its a little rich for Milliband and the Government to demand anything.
- Norman, Eastcote, 19/02/2010 03:04
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I'm sure that Israel is quaking in its boots at the thought of Milibanana investigating their security services-NOT!
Israel has been threatened with destruction by the terrorists of Hamas. She has a right to defend her existence , by any means necessary.
At least there is one civilised country that is not hobbled by political correctness.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 18/02/2010 23:44
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I agree with Ces, good for Mossdad, this is the way to deal with terrorist murderers, quick and to the point. M16 & The CIA have long histories of counter insurgency so lets have no hand wringing please!
- Jon, London, 18/02/2010 23:32
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Dubai deliberately accused innocent people and published their identities. Why did they not check the validity of the passports. Are they incompetent (look at their finances) or what smokescreen are they putting up. In this world of crackpots are these people now at risk due to Dubai's blatant false accusations. The issue of Mossad involvment is separate. Dubai must show judicial competence which is lacking in this case.
- Jim, OZ, 18/02/2010 21:46
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The average Brit will be pleased to see a false British passport finally used for the benefit of the British people.
Its about time we stopped being squeamish about dealing with Islamic terrorism at home or overseas.
- Cliftop, london, 18/02/2010 21:41
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Maybe Fatah did the hit, two Palestinians were arrested after all. Or failing that, maybe a mafia/arms dealer hit because Hamas failed to pay their bills? And dont forget two passports were Irish.
- Michael, London, 18/02/2010 21:28
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9/11 comes to mind !!!
- Ahkmed The Dead Terrorist, London England, 18/02/2010 20:10
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do NOT send my taxes on this. Like most of the people in this country I am not interesed in helping anyone catch these people. A major terrorist who admitts to at least two murders is dead and we're not crying about it.
- Barry, woking, uk, 18/02/2010 19:31
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John Smith +1
Who gives a damn which country's passport they forged?
What is Miliband's position on this state sponsored assasination?
- Woffa, San Francisco, 18/02/2010 19:14
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It is absolutely obvious that the Israeli government will do whatever it wishes and has a long history of reckless incursions into other countries. David Miliband may splutter but what he will do? Nothing. And then the same thing will happen again. There is no hope for peace in the Middle East whilst this sort of terrorist activity continues to be tolerated.
- Simon, London, 18/02/2010 19:07
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SAS kill IRA in Gibraltar. American drones kill Taliban in Pakistan. French secret service personnel kill Greenpeace activists in New Zealand. Russian emigre is poisoned in London, maybe by Russian agents. Fatah and Hamas assassinate each other. So why would Mossad be any different?
- Exnewsgatherer, Oxford. UK, 18/02/2010 18:42
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"Neil, People'S Republic Of Europe" - need I say more!
- Blagger Bates, London, 18/02/2010 18:41
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So what if a few passports were illegally doctored. Are people missing the point? It must be assumed that once again israel has heroically carried out its objectives of wiping its terrorist enemies. At least one country has the guts to stand up to the fundamentalism surrounding us!
- Gideon, herts, 18/02/2010 18:29
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Now that everyone can see how ruthless and cruel Mossad are, perhaps those of us who have been pointing this out for years can stop being accused of "antisemitism". Make no mistake: Mossad recognise no country's sovereignty and will eliminate any and all "enemies" by whatever means suit them best. Mossad are behind most of the world's terrorism, extra-judicial executions and of course false-flag black operations. Fact.
- Neil, People'S Republic Of Europe (Formerly England), London UK, 18/02/2010 08:25
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"The defrauding of British passports is a very serious issue"
So assassinations are acceptable and identity fraud is what is very serious ?
I think they have their priorities wrong.
- John Smith, London. UK, 18/02/2010 07:24
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Maybe it was MI6 that actually carried out the hit. Remember the SAS and Gibraltar - it wouldn't be the first time that Britain carried out extra-judicial executions abroad. And as for motive- there are enough elements within MI6 / FCO that are very friendly to Saudi interests who are dead-set against Iran and their proxies, Hamas.
- Ces, london, 18/02/2010 06:28
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