> I think that one thing he may have been asking is "why do NZ's SAS
> allow their photos to be taken?" Since they are a special forces
> branch, it would seem detrimental to their mission to have the
> identity and image of their members publicized. Even if this photo was
> only published after he left the service, it was clearly taken while
> he was still in and he wouldn't have control over how it was used in
> the immediate.

To  each divisible part of the following add as required desired
"AFAIK" / I hear / It is reported / Newspapers say / The story goes
etc. as required/desired ie this is likely right but no guarantees.

Special case.
While it was known that NZ said it would 'support' activities in A'
there was no public notification that our troops were going there,
were there or had been there.
BUT then about 2 years after one time when they had been Willie was
awarded the VC.
He declined acceptance as this would involve being identified which
would endanger his compatriots but he was advised/ordered/requested to
do so and did so. VFC holders become public property and he ens up
doing PR controlled appearances, interviews, appears at selected
events etc - all controlled but his cover as a faceless SAS man is
blown.
Where he is etc is once more unknown and we the public probably assume
he's longing around NZ as one does.
Then, a French freelance photographer in a Kabul street spots a man
leaving a building (so the story went but it looks like just having
left a vehicle) AND recognises him AND takes his photo. Shortly
thereafter people start shooting and bombing - which is rarer within
Kabul proper than in many other places, and Willie and co are
involved. The picture is published and there is debate re ending his
tour prematurely etc, but apparently they didn't. In some versions of
the photo there is another similarly equipped man near Willie. In most
versions his face  is blurred out but in at least one its not. He is
helmeted (unlike Willie) and bearded and I would not recognise him in
a crowd, even if I had the photo. His friends would. Oh look, there's
quiet Joe from down the road, so that's what he does as a day job ....

Presumably Willie was told he wasn't allowed to shoot French photographers.
I've met a few people who were similarly restrained. eg  This young
policeman in Tian an men square was presumably restrained from acting
as he otherwise may have most other places in the city. A location
where they are presumably on their best behaviour, almost all the
time.  http://public.fotki.com/RussellMc/atw/china2010jan/atwc1001random/if-looks-could-kill.html
(January 2008 - not as per folder date).

             Russell




   Russell
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