英国特种空勤团（SAS）前指挥官指责政府，因设立针对战争罪行的调查却四年未能得出结论，从而破坏了国家与其精锐士兵之间的“道德契约”。
A former commanding officer of the SAS blamed the state for breaking a "moral contract" between the country and its top soldiers by setting up an inquiry into war crimes which has failed to reach conclusions four years on.
“阿富汗相关独立调查”于2022年成立，旨在调查英国特种部队在夜间突袭中实施法外处决的指控，以及皇家军事警察对这些指控的调查是否属于掩盖真相。
The Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan was set up in 2022 to investigate claims that UK Special Forces committed extrajudicial killings during night raids and that the Royal Military Police probe into the allegations was a cover-up.
第22特种空勤团前指挥官理查德·威廉姆斯中校对天空新闻表示，士兵们已做好准备，履行他们签署的“无限责任契约”，为满足国家需求而承担受伤或牺牲的风险。
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Williams, former Commanding Officer of 22 SAS, told Sky News soldiers are prepared to face "the unlimited liability contract" they have signed up to, to suffer injury or death to deliver what the state needs.
但过去20年来一系列尝试性的起诉累积起来，导致国家与部队之间的信任破裂。
But a series of attempted prosecutions built up over the last 20 years has left trust between the country and troops broken.
威廉姆斯中校对天空新闻说：“在我指挥的所有行动中，无论是北爱尔兰、伊拉克、阿富汗、巴尔干半岛、拉丁美洲还是其他地方，我一直觉得国家站在我这边。”
"In all the operations I conducted, from Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, Latin America and elsewhere, I always felt the state had my back," Lt Col Williams told Sky News.
“如今发现，那些由国家指导、国家背书、受国家约束的行动却被拖上法庭，这会让我怀疑，如果我现在是一名年轻的SAS军官，是否还能信任国家在事后支持我在近距离战斗中采取的必要行动。”
"To find now that those operations directed by the state, endorsed by the state, bound by the state, is being dragged through the courts, would make me wonder if I was a young SAS officer now, as to whether I could trust the state after the event to support my necessary actions in close-quarter combat."
天空新闻获得的一份周五发送给成员的内部备忘录显示，SAS团级协会警告其成员，“国家与其士兵之间的道德契约已被削弱，甚至破裂”。
In an internal memo sent to members on Friday, and seen by Sky News, the SAS Regimental Association warned its members "the moral contract between the state and its soldiers has been weakened or even broken".
备忘录称，成员们担心长期的审查和负面舆论会阻碍志愿者报名，或促使经验丰富的人员离队，并表示成员因目前针对特种部队的行动而提前退役。
It said members are concerned that prolonged scrutiny and adverse publicity could deter volunteers or encourage experienced personnel to leave, and said members were leaving early due to the current activity against the Special Forces.
“针对一项高度专业化能力的风险值得严肃对待，”备忘录写道。“我们确实感受到了成员们的情绪，关于留任的信息明显是负面的。”威廉姆斯中校将该调查描述为“国家的迫害工具”，并表示负责人需要审查调查的进行方式，并“询问其是否适合其目的”。
"The risk to a highly specialised capability warrants serious attention," the memo read. "We do sense the mood of our members and the message on retention is a noticeably negative one." Lt Col Williams described the inquiry as a "persecuting agent for the state," and said those in charge need to review the way the probe is being conducted and "ask whether it is fit for purpose".
他说：“它是否在实现其本应实现的目标？它是否以对国家行为体以及士兵与国家之间关系损害最小的方式来实现？”针对该备忘录，这位前指挥官——他在阿富汗行动前已离开军队——坚称从未遇到过任何违规士兵。
He said: "Is it delivering what it's supposed to do? And is it delivering it in ways that is least damaging for the state actor and the relationship between soldiers and the state?" Reacting to the memo, the former commanding officer, who left the army before the operation in Afghanistan, insisted he had never encountered any soldier breaking rules.
“我们为国家做了一切，国家现在是否在为我们做一切？感觉并非如此，”他说。12月15日，由哈登-凯夫大法官主持的调查将进入第五年。
"We've done everything for the state, is the state now doing everything for us? It doesn't feel that way," he said. On 15 December, the inquiry, chaired by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, will move into its fifth year.
虽然许多部分不公开审理，但约30天的公开听证会已听取了包括军方举报人、前公务员和调查人员在内的一系列证人的证词。
While many parts have been held in secret, around 30 days of open hearings have heard from a range of witnesses including military whistleblowers, former civil servants and investigators.
本周，调查组展示了死者阿富汗男性的照片，他们似乎在睡梦中被枪击头部。
This week the inquiry was shown photographs of dead Afghan males who appeared to have been shot in the head while asleep.
9月，调查宣布国防部披露了9700万份此前未公开的文件。观察人士警告这可能会延误或使程序脱轨。国防部律师本周表示，更多文件可能于11月20日星期五披露。
In September, the inquiry announced the disclosure of 97 million documents by the Ministry of Defence which had previously not been released. Observers warned it could delay or derail proceedings. Lawyers for the MoD this week said more files could be disclosed on Friday 20 November.
周四，哈登-凯夫大法官表示，明年4月30日完成所有证据听证的截止日期“必须遵守”。
On Thursday, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave said a deadline of 30 April next year to complete hearing all evidence "must be kept".
国防部发言人表示：“我们的人员因其专业精神和奉献精神而受到世界尊敬，他们为捍卫国家做出了非凡牺牲。”
An MOD spokesperson said: "Our personnel are respected worldwide for their professionalism and dedication, and they make extraordinary sacrifices in defence of the nation.
他们的大部分工作不为人知、默默无闻，但这丝毫不减我们对他们服务的无比自豪，也不减他们在维护国家安全方面所发挥的关键作用。
"Much of their work goes unseen and unsung, but that in no way diminishes the enormous pride we have in their service and the vital role they play in keeping our country safe."