British soldiers beat defenceless Iraqi teenagers w/ video

http://astream.com/links/notw/together_300.asx
BRITISH troops are the best in the world—renowned for their professionalism as much as their bravery.
Facing an almost impossible task in Iraq they deserve nothing less than our total support.
But today is a black day for the Army.
The video we reproduce is shameful and justifiably it will send shockwaves round the globe.
Of course we do not publish this disturbing material in haste, but with regret. Yet publish we must.
Those responsible for the events we depict must be identified and brought to book.
Our troops simply cannot be allowed to behave in this way—how-ever bad the provocation.
Conduct
Remember the prophetic words of Lt Col Tim Collins on the eve of battle in Iraq.
Unless their conduct was of the highest, he warned his men, their deeds would follow them down through history, bringing shame on their uniforms and nation.
The winning of hearts and minds has been the central strategy in our Iraq campaign.
That's why there can be no cover-up for those whose savage behaviour has disgraced, and perhaps even endangered, their service colleagues.
Unhappily, this video record of brutality does nothing to help the battle on the troubled streets of Iraq.
But it must NOT be used to devalue the outstanding work being done by the men and women of the armed services. Duties carried out almost entirely with enviable self-control, honour, dignity and valour.
Freedoms
And before extremists seize upon the video for their own twisted agendas we say this:
It is our very way of life—with its cherished freedoms of speech and information—that enables us to reveal such disquieting scenes.
Now a full investigation is under way. We are confident the Ministry of Defence will identify and deal with the culprits.
We believe justice must be done swiftly.
But let us not allow the reckless actions of a rogue group of soldiers to become the legacy of our courageous men and women in Iraq.
That would be a grave injustice, however shocking the images may be.