British Colonel accuser named in war crimes investigation
The man who has accused Colonel Tim Collins of war crimes during the Iraqi conflict has been named as Major Biastre.
Collins is to be investigated for breaches of the Geneva Convention after complaints were made over his treatment of Iraqi prisoner’s of war.
Major Biastre is a part-time serviceman, who works as a school counsellor and traffic policeman.
According to reports, Biastre’s attack was said to be motivated out of spite after a period of tense Anglo-American relations
The low point in the relationship reportedly came when the two men clashed over a decision by Biastre to hand out sweets to Iraqi children in defiance of an order.
The Sunday Times quoted Major Stan Coerr, a US Marines reservist, who was attached to Collins’s unit in Kuwait and Iraq for three months. He said: ‘Major Biastre is the sole reason this is happening. It is his spite for Colonel Collins that started this whole thing. I loved Colonel Collins and would serve with him again. This whole thing is a travesty.’
‘I have already told Colonel Collins that I insist – not request – on being allowed to testify if this should get to that point,’ said Coerr. ‘I would work with Tim Collins anywhere, any time.’
Biastre was in charge of a small group from 402 Civil Affairs Battalion attached to Britain’s 16 Air Assault Brigade, which includes the Royal Irish. His job was to ease communications between allied forces and the local population.
However, when pulled up for handing out the sweets, Biastre allegedly replied: ‘You do your job and I will do mine.’
Then, according to Biastre, Collins responded by screaming: ‘What the f*** do you think you are doing?’ Continuing, Biasrta claimed: ‘I asked him who he was and he screamed as loud as he could that he was Lt Col Collins of the Royal Irish.’
Collins then ordered Biastre to be arrested for insubordination. The American was later banned from Rumaila.
Of the incident, Coerr said: ‘Major Biastre was embarrassed at his own lack of discipline and was made a fool of in front of his men. That’s all there is to it.’
