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Iran Watch: Iran-UK Hostage Crisis – The Aftermath
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad meets with the British troops. (April 4)Daily Mail: We were blindfolded, bound and stripped, say our sailors
The British sailors released by Iran have today told how they were kidnapped and blindfolded and subjected to ‘constant psychological pressure’.
The sailors and marines were told if they did not admit they had strayed into Iranian waters they faced seven years in prison.
Two of the freed captives shared the reading of a prepared statement at Royal Marines Base at Chivenor, north Devon, where they revealed the first details of their time as hostages.
Lieutenant Felix Carman confirmed the sailors were in Iraqi waters when they were detained by Iran. “We were 1.7 nautical miles from Iranian waters,” he said.
The sailors and marines said they were bound, blindfolded and lined up against a wall while weapons were cocked, making them “fear the worst”.
Apparently responding to criticisms that the sailors and marines surrendered too easily to the Iranians and were too eager to cooperate with their captors, they said that “fighting back was simply not an option”.
Flap thought these folks were in the military. They
soundwhine like they were civilians who were kidnapped on a pleasure cruise.Their grandparents who fought WW II must be rolling over in their graves.
Left to right: Joe Tindall, Arthur Batchelor, Chris Air, Felix Carman, Adam Sperry and Simon Massey
Here is video of part of the news conference:
Flap thinks this analysis of the situation fits best:
Good grief the Iranians must be laughing their asses off in Tehran of the GREAT ROYAL NAVY – NOT.
Previous:Iran Watch: Iran-UK Hostages Reunited with Family
Iran Watch: Iran-UK Hostage Crisis Day 12
Iran Watch: Iranian TV Shows New Video of Captured British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran Protesters Target British Embassy
Iran Watch: Feckless Brits Seek Deal With Iran
Iran Watch: British Sailors May Be Tried By Iran
Iran Watch: Iran Releases Video and Letter of Captured British Hostages
Iran Watch: Britain Seeks Iran Condemnation from the United Nations
Iran Watch: Britain Must FIRST Admit “MISTAKEâ€
Iran Watch: Iran Parades Brit Hostages on TV
Iran Watch: Tony Blair Warns Iran
Iran Watch: Captured Brits – Show Trial or Bluff?
Iran Watch: Iran May Charge British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran to Try Brits for Spying?
Iran Watch: British Troops Transported To Tehran
Iran Watch: Are Seized British Troops Hostages?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Cancels United Nations Appearance
Iran Watch: Iran Seizes British Sailors in Iraq Waters
Technorati Tags: Iran, Iraq, Britain, UnitedKingdomYahyaRahimSafaviTonyBlairManouchehrMottakiMahmoudAhmadinejad
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Iran Watch: Iran-UK Hostages Reunited with Family
Leading Seaman Faye Turney shares a joke at Heathrow
Hostages reunited with family after 14-day ordeal
After 13 days of fear and worry, the 15 British sailors and marines held captive in Iran were finally reunited with their families today.
The 14 men and one woman arrived by Sea King helicopter at Royal Marines Base Chivenor, near Barnstaple, north Devon, shortly before 2.30pm.
They filed out onto the grass in front of the officer’s mess in brilliant sunshine to be greeted by naval officials.
As they gathered on the concrete terrace, the faces of family and friends were pressed against windows before they were allowed to greet them. Hugs were exchanged.
The sailors and marines had earlier touched down at Heathrow airport after a seven hour flight from Iran. The aircraft landed shortly after midday in brilliant sunshine and taxied to the VIP section of the runway.
Passengers on the flight from Tehran said a round of applause was heard from Business Class when the plane touched down.
Prime Minister Tony Blair today said he had ‘rejoiced’ at the return of the service personnel and that there have been new and interesting lines of communication opened with Iran. He added the international community must remain steadfast in dealings with Iran.
Mr Blair says people have not been taken in by the “theatre” in Iran and there are no “agreements” between Iranian elements held in Iraq and released crew. He said Britain managed to secure release of crew without any deal or negotiations.
Oh really!
No deal huh……..
Here is a timeline of the two weeks British humiliation:
Then, why did Ahamdinejad and the Mullahs release your hostages, Mr. Blair?
Was it this?
The USS Nimitz and its carrier strike group had been ordered by President Bush to the Persian Gulf to supplement the USS Dwight David Eisenhower and USS John C. Stennis who are already in theater.
Flap figures that the Mullahs decided they had milked this story and humiliated the Brits enough to the Arab Street so why not get out “quick and dirty” without any reprisals. How humiliating to the British Empire to be given an Easter gift from the Iranian Mullahs – a return of their own captured sailors/marines.
Flap had mentioned a number of weeks ago to watch for a provocation by either Iran or the West over the Iranian nuclear program. Obviously, the West did not bite.
The question is why?
Video grab shows Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaking to Britons who had been detained in Iran at a ceremony to mark their release, April 4, 2007.
So, what comes next?
Another provocation? Against an American ship?
Perhaps.
Iran has probed the Brits and found them WEAK. Will they test the Great Satan and the Great Cowboy Bush?
Probably and then let the war begin………
Freed British sailors wait at the republic pavillion of Mehrabad airport on 05 April 2007.
Stay tuned…….
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Iran Watch: Iran-UK Hostage Crisis Day 12
Iran Watch: Iranian TV Shows New Video of Captured British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran Protesters Target British Embassy
Iran Watch: Feckless Brits Seek Deal With Iran
Iran Watch: British Sailors May Be Tried By Iran
Iran Watch: Iran Releases Video and Letter of Captured British Hostages
Iran Watch: Britain Seeks Iran Condemnation from the United Nations
Iran Watch: Britain Must FIRST Admit “MISTAKEâ€
Iran Watch: Iran Parades Brit Hostages on TV
Iran Watch: Tony Blair Warns Iran
Iran Watch: Captured Brits – Show Trial or Bluff?
Iran Watch: Iran May Charge British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran to Try Brits for Spying?
Iran Watch: British Troops Transported To Tehran
Iran Watch: Are Seized British Troops Hostages?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Cancels United Nations Appearance
Iran Watch: Iran Seizes British Sailors in Iraq Waters
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Iran Watch: Iran-UK Hostage Crisis Day 12
AP: Britain calls for direct talks with Iran
Britain called for direct talks with Iran over 15 captive Britons Tuesday after speaking for the first time with the chief Iranian negotiator. The announcement followed the sudden release of an Iranian diplomat in Iraq that raised new hope in resolving the standoff.
In a statement late Tuesday, Prime Minister Blair’s Downing Street office said “both sides share a desire for an early resolution to this issue through direct talks.”
Hours after Foreign Secretary Margaret cautioned against expecting a swift resolution to the crisis, Downing Street struck an upbeat note, announcing there had been “further contacts” between the two countries, including with chief negotiator Ali Larijani.
“The prime minister remains committed to resolving this by diplomatic means. The UK has proposed direct bilateral discussions and awaits an Iranian response on when these can begin,” Blair’s office said.
Earlier, Iranian diplomat Jalal Sharafi arrived in Tehran, hours after he was freed by his captors in Iraq, officials said. He was seized Feb. 4 by uniformed gunmen in Karradah, a Shiite-controlled district of Baghdad.
His release also suggests the standoff over the captive Britons may end with a de facto prisoner swap — something both Tehran and London have publicly discounted.
Iran alleged the diplomat had been abducted by an Iraqi military unit commanded by U.S. forces — a charge repeated by several Iraqi Shiite lawmakers. U.S. authorities denied any role in his disappearance.
Has the sun finally set on the British Empire with a feckless Tony Blair? Flap cannot imagine a “COLD WAR” prisoner abduction/trade ever being so mishandled by Maggie Thatcher. And the Brits then were dealing with the Soviets!
If Britain is going to negotiate with these terrorists then at least do it quickly and out of sight so your own people can’t see how WEAK you really are.
Shameful…….
This picture, apparently a still taken from a video, showed six sailors sitting in blue and red tracksuits on a carpet in a room with what appears to be a little bowl of nuts standing in the middle of the group.
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Iran Watch: Iranian TV Shows New Video of Captured British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran Protesters Target British Embassy
Iran Watch: Feckless Brits Seek Deal With Iran
Iran Watch: British Sailors May Be Tried By Iran
Iran Watch: Iran Releases Video and Letter of Captured British Hostages
Iran Watch: Britain Seeks Iran Condemnation from the United Nations
Iran Watch: Britain Must FIRST Admit “MISTAKEâ€
Iran Watch: Iran Parades Brit Hostages on TV
Iran Watch: Tony Blair Warns Iran
Iran Watch: Captured Brits – Show Trial or Bluff?
Iran Watch: Iran May Charge British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran to Try Brits for Spying?
Iran Watch: British Troops Transported To Tehran
Iran Watch: Are Seized British Troops Hostages?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Cancels United Nations Appearance
Iran Watch: Iran Seizes British Sailors in Iraq Waters
Technorati Tags: Iran, Iraq, Britain, UnitedKingdomYahyaRahimSafaviTonyBlairManouchehrMottakiMahmoudAhmadinejad
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Michael Ramirez on Iran-UK Hostage Crisis
Yes, Michael, the situation of the Iran-UK Hostage Crisis is very much like Neville Chamberlain and Hitler as a prelude to World War II.
Chamberlain holds the paper containing the resolution to commit to peaceful methods signed by both Hitler and himself on his return from Germany at Heston Airport in September 1938. He said:
My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time.
UK ‘shares Iran diplomacy desire’
Ali Larijani, of the Supreme National Security Council, said Iran’s priority was to use diplomatic channels, not putting the crew on trial.
The Foreign Office said it was still studying his remarks, made to Channel 4 News, but shared his preference for bilateral discussions.
It said it would be following up his comments with Iran on Tuesday.
A Foreign Office statement said: “There remain some differences between us, but we can confirm we share [Dr Larijani’s] preference for early bilateral discussions to find a diplomatic solution to this problem.
“We will be following up with the Iranian authorities tomorrow, given our shared desire to make early progress.”
Sounds like “peace in our time” or APPEASEMENT to Flap.
And, now, the British newspapers are blaming the United States for protecting its own interests and troops during the Iraq War for provoking Iran.
How do you spell BULL?
U.K. PAPER: U.S. TRIGGERED IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS
Didn’t the Brits ever hear of “DIVIDE AND CONQUER?”
Technorati Tags: MichaelRamirez, Iran, Iraq, UK
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Iran Watch: Iranian TV Shows New Video of Captured British Sailors
AP: Iranian TV airs new video of Britons
Iran’s state television aired new video Sunday showing two of the 15 captured British sailors pointing to a spot on a map of the Persian Gulf where they were seized and acknowledging it was in Iranian territorial waters.
Britain’s Foreign Office immediately denounced the video, saying it was “completely unacceptable for these pictures to be shown on TV.”
The captives first appeared on appeared on the state-run Arabic-language TV channel Al-Alam in separate video clips looking relaxed in military fatigues and pointing at the same map of the Persian Gulf. They were talking to a camera but the channel did not air their voices. Two state-run Farsi-language TV stations later carried their voices along with the video.
The first sailor, who was identified as Royal Marine Capt. Chris Air, pointed with a pen to a location on the map where he said two boats left a coalition warship around 8:30 a.m. on March 23. He said the seven marines and eight navy sailors were seized around 10 a.m. and according to Iran’s maps and GPS, it was “apparently … inside Iranian territorial waters.”
“We’ve been treated very well and we thank you for that,” he said.
More humiliation for Britain and doesn’t Iran just love to rub their nose in it? But, Americans have a like experience with our 444 day captives from the American embassy fiasco of President Jimmy Carter.
Isn’t it obvious that the Brits were in Iraqi Waters and that this capture was a set-up by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards? After all, if the Brits were in Iran’s waters a couple of things:
1. Why would the British government NOT admit straight away their mistake, swallow thier pride and apologize?
2. Why wouldn’t the sailors put up some sort of struggle to get the “hell out of there?”
3. Why did the Iranians NOT shoot across the bow of the Brit ship? As a warning?
Obviously, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards wanted to capture, hold hostage and humiliate the West by holding military personnel and parading them before the Arab Street.
Now, let’s look at the British response. Here is a clip of Prime Minister Tony Blair on the 30th:
Doesn’t the PM look like he is about to shit his pants?
What kind of signal does this send to the Mullahs? the European Union? the Arab Street?
How do you spell WEAK and SCARED?
As the negotiations draw out, news commentators will start counting the days the hostages have been held – just like ABC’s Ted Kopell and Nightline in 1979.
And what about Iran’s nuclear program?
Do you think Britain will ever be credible on stopping Iran’s nuclear weapon’s program? Hell, they cannot even protect and stand up for fifteen of their own sailors.
Like Flap has said over and over – the United States and Israel are on their own.
Stay tuned………Next will be the burning and attempted take over of the British Embassy in Tehran.
A video grab taken from the Iranian Arabic-speaking television station Al-Alam shows a British sailor speaking in front of a chart of the Gulf waters. Britain and Iran were engaged in direct talks over 15 detained British naval personnel, both sides said Sunday, but high emotions threatened to derail diplomatic efforts as Tehran showed new television footage of the captives
Previous:
Iran Watch: Iran Protesters Target British Embassy
Iran Watch: Feckless Brits Seek Deal With Iran
Iran Watch: British Sailors May Be Tried By Iran
Iran Watch: Iran Releases Video and Letter of Captured British Hostages
Iran Watch: Britain Seeks Iran Condemnation from the United Nations
Iran Watch: Britain Must FIRST Admit “MISTAKEâ€
Iran Watch: Iran Parades Brit Hostages on TV
Iran Watch: Tony Blair Warns Iran
Iran Watch: Captured Brits – Show Trial or Bluff?
Iran Watch: Iran May Charge British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran to Try Brits for Spying?
Iran Watch: British Troops Transported To Tehran
Iran Watch: Are Seized British Troops Hostages?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Cancels United Nations Appearance
Iran Watch: Iran Seizes British Sailors in Iraq Waters
Technorati Tags: Iran, Iraq, Britain, UnitedKingdomYahyaRahimSafaviTonyBlairManouchehrMottakiMahmoudAhmadinejad
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Iran Watch: Iran Protesters Target British Embassy
****Update****
Iran’s Arabic satellite channel says it will soon air “confessions” from two of the fifteen captured British Sailors.
An Iranian clergyman throws a rock at the British Embassy in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, April 1, 2007, during a protest calling for the expulsion of the country’s ambassador because of the standoff over Iran’s capture of 15 British sailors and marines.
AP: Protest in Iran targets British Embassy
About 200 students threw rocks and firecrackers at the British Embassy on Sunday, calling for the expulsion of the country’s ambassador because of the standoff over
Iran’s capture of 15 British sailors and marines.Several dozen policemen prevented the protesters from entering the embassy compound, although a few briefly scaled a fence outside the compound’s walls before being pushed back, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.
The protesters chanted “Death to Britain” and “Death to America” as they hurled stones into the courtyard of the embassy. They also demanded that the Iranian government expel the British ambassador and close down the embassy, calling it a “den of spies.”
And Britain is doing what?
Iranian hardline students throw stones at the British embassy in Tehran. Islamist students threw rocks and firecrackers at Britain’s embassy in Tehran on Sunday after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad slammed “arrogant” Britain over Iran’s seizure of 15 British sailors.
An Iranian man chants slogan as police officers prevent protestors from entering the British Embassy in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, April 1, 2007.
Britain is attempting to talk to Iran.
Defense Secretary Des Browne said Britain was in “direct, bilateral communication with the Iranians.” A Ministry of Defense spokeswoman said Browne was referring to letters and other contacts between diplomats, rather than any new face-to-face talks.
Browne, on a visit to
Afghanistan, said Britain had “the support of almost the whole international community” in calling for the release of its personnel, who were seized by Iran 10 days ago.WOW, the support of almost the entire interrnational community. And this has stopped Iran from enriching uranium as well.
The Brits are WEAK and must bow down to the great Iran.
Maybe giving the Mullahs a couple of nukes will be the ticket to release the hostages……
Iranian riot police prevent hardline students from approaching the British embassy in Tehran.
Stay tuned…….
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Iran Watch: Feckless Brits Seek Deal With Iran
Iran Watch: British Sailors May Be Tried By Iran
Iran Watch: Iran Releases Video and Letter of Captured British Hostages
Iran Watch: Britain Seeks Iran Condemnation from the United Nations
Iran Watch: Britain Must FIRST Admit “MISTAKEâ€
Iran Watch: Iran Parades Brit Hostages on TV
Iran Watch: Tony Blair Warns Iran
Iran Watch: Captured Brits – Show Trial or Bluff?
Iran Watch: Iran May Charge British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran to Try Brits for Spying?
Iran Watch: British Troops Transported To Tehran
Iran Watch: Are Seized British Troops Hostages?
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Technorati Tags: Iran, Iraq, Britain, UnitedKingdomYahyaRahimSafaviTonyBlairManouchehrMottakiMahmoudAhmadinejad
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George W. Bush, Iran, Iran Nuclear Watch, Iraq, Iraq War, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Tony Blair, United Kingdom
Iran Watch: Feckless Brits Seek Deal With Iran
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad(C) leaves the Friday prayers at Tehran university, 30 March 2007. Ahmadinejad again called for Britain to apologise for its sailors entering Iranian waters, the state news agency IRNA reported.
Ahmadinejad Calls U.K., Allies Arrogant
Iran’s hardline president said Saturday that Britain and its allies were “arrogant and selfish” for not apologizing over what he called the incursion of 15 captured British sailors and marines into Iranian waters.
President Bush described the 15 Britons as “hostages” in his first comments on the capture and said their seizure was “inexcusable,” calling for their release.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s most extensive comments on the crisis closely followed tough talk from other Iranian officials, an indication that Tehran’s position could be hardening.
Britain, meanwhile, appeared to be easing its stance, emphasizing its desire to talk with Iran about what it termed a regrettable situation.
“We continue to express our willingness to engage in dialogue and discussions with Iran,” Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said at a European Union summit in Bremen, Germany. I think everyone regrets that this position has arisen … What we want is a way out of it.”
Iran appeared unreceptive.
Of course, Iran will be unreceptive of the feckless Brits. Britain has shown itself to be WEAK. So, Iran will take advantage. Iran will want more.
Remember when President Ronald Reagan made the statement of “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH” an American foreign policy standard?
Tony Blair and the British have made “negotiate and beg” their national foreign policy standard.
The Brits need to show some backbone and intestinal fortitude or become subservient Dhimmis to the great Caliphate of Iran.
U.S. President George W. Bush answers a question during a joint news conference with Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at Camp David in Maryland March 31, 2007. Bush said on Saturday that Iran’s detention of 15 British sailors and marines was inexcusable and called on Tehran to release “the hostages” immediately.
In the meantime, the British government is trying to negotiate a “DEAL” with Iran.
Ministers seek deal with Iran for captives
Ministers are preparing a compromise deal to allow Iran to save face and release its 15 British military captives by promising that the Royal Navy will never knowingly enter Iranian waters without permission.
The Sunday Telegraph has learnt of plans to send a Royal Navy captain or commodore to Teheran, as a special envoy of the Government, to deliver a public assurance that officials hope will end the diplomatic standoff.
The move, which was discussed at a meeting of Whitehall’s Cobra crisis committee yesterday, came as Downing Street officials explicitly cautioned against hopes of a speedy outcome and said that families of the hostages should prepare for the “long haul”.
What a joke.
But, Britain can deal with Iran as it sees fit.
Iran knows that had they attacked and attempted to capture an American vessel that at the least the Americans would have fought them and that there would be no negotiations only reprisals.
Some Brits are not too happy:
Defence officials emphasised that they were not preparing to concede that the two British boats detained nine days ago were at fault. But one said: “We are quite prepared to give the Iranians a guarantee that we would never knowingly enter their waters without their permission, now or in the future.
We are not apologising, nor are we saying that we entered their waters in the first place. But it may offer a route out of the crisis.”
Details of the strategy emerged as a former Falklands War commander expressed fury at how the sailors surrendered to Iranian gunboats without a fight.
Maj Gen Julian Thompson called for a review of the Navy’s rules of engagement, dictated by the United Nations, that they cannot open fire unless they are shot at first. “In my view this thing is a complete cock-up,” he said.
“I want to know why the Marines didn’t open fire or put up some sort of fight. My fear is that they didn’t have the right rules of engagement, which would allow them to do this.”
This photo released by the Ministry of Defence shows the HMS Cornwall on station in the Gulf. More people in Britain oppose military action than support it to end the standoff over Iran’s capture of 15 British military personnel in the Gulf, a poll published at the weekend said.
Stay tuned……
Iranians wave their national flag during a celebration to mark the Islamic Republic Day in Tehran’s Revolution Square.
Previous:
Iran Watch: British Sailors May Be Tried By Iran
Iran Watch: Iran Releases Video and Letter of Captured British Hostages
Iran Watch: Britain Seeks Iran Condemnation from the United Nations
Iran Watch: Britain Must FIRST Admit “MISTAKEâ€
Iran Watch: Iran Parades Brit Hostages on TV
Iran Watch: Tony Blair Warns Iran
Iran Watch: Captured Brits – Show Trial or Bluff?
Iran Watch: Iran May Charge British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran to Try Brits for Spying?
Iran Watch: British Troops Transported To Tehran
Iran Watch: Are Seized British Troops Hostages?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Cancels United Nations Appearance
Iran Watch: Iran Seizes British Sailors in Iraq Waters
Technorati Tags: Iran, Iraq, Britain, UnitedKingdomYahyaRahimSafaviTonyBlairManouchehrMottakiMahmoudAhmadinejad
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Iran Watch: British Sailors May Be Tried By Iran
AP: Iranian official: Sailors may be tried
Iran’s ambassador to Russia renewed a threat Iranian officials made earlier this week, saying 15 British sailors held by Iran could be tried for violating international law, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported Saturday.
Gholam-Reza Ansari told Russian television Vesti-24 on Friday that Iran had launched a legal investigation of the British sailors. “They will be tried if there is enough evidence of guilt,” Ansari was quoted by IRNA as saying.
Britain’s Foreign Office said it was checking the claim that the sailors were facing trial, but noted that the ambassador’s comments didn’t alter their view of what was needed to resolve the standoff.
“This doesn’t change our position, we have made it perfectly clear that our personnel were in Iraqi waters and we continue to request immediate consular access to them and their immediate release,” said a spokeswoman for Britain’s Foreign Office, speaking on customary condition of anonymity in line with government rules.
Flap’s best intuition tells him that Britain and the United States are planning a military operation to damage Iran with concomitant back channel negotiations to avoid any loss of life. And Britain must make sure any response does not provoke riots in the UK’s Muslim communities.
But……
It is awfully quiet out there.
And where is big mouth Iran President Ahmadinejad?
An image taken from Iranian television Friday March 30, 2007 showing three British service personnel, at left a serviceman whose name was given in Farsi as Nathan Thomas Summers, Faye Turney, 26, the only woman amongst the British navy personnel, centre, and a man believed to be Adam Sperry, some of the British personnel being held captive by Iran. A newscaster earlier on Al-Alam television said the taped confession would show a British marine explaining how he and his colleagues entered Iranian waters ‘in an illegal way.’
On the other hand, it may be that Britain is not capable militarily or lacks the will to get their sailors back.
Stay tuned…….
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Iran Watch: Iran Releases Video and Letter of Captured British HostagesIran Watch: Britain Seeks Iran Condemnation from the United Nations
Iran Watch: Britain Must FIRST Admit “MISTAKEâ€
Iran Watch: Iran Parades Brit Hostages on TV
Iran Watch: Tony Blair Warns Iran
Iran Watch: Captured Brits – Show Trial or Bluff?
Iran Watch: Iran May Charge British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran to Try Brits for Spying?
Iran Watch: British Troops Transported To Tehran
Iran Watch: Are Seized British Troops Hostages?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Cancels United Nations Appearance
Iran Watch: Iran Seizes British Sailors in Iraq Waters
Technorati Tags: Iran, Iraq, Britain, UnitedKingdomYahyaRahimSafaviTonyBlairManouchehrMottaki
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Iran Watch: Iran Releases Video and Letter of Captured British Hostages
Reuters: Iran releases letter, video of captured Britons
Iran displayed three detained British naval personnel on television on Friday and released a letter from one saying she was being held because of “oppressive” British and U.S. behavior in
Iraq.British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the footage of three of the 15 British captives enhanced people’s disgust at the treatment of the sailors and marines, and risked isolating Tehran further – but he urged calm and patience over the crisis.
“I am writing to you as a British service person who has been sent to Iraq, sacrificed due to the intervening policies of the Bush and Blair governments,” said the third letter from sailor Faye Turney, released by Iran’s embassy in London.
The letter from Sailor Faye Turney:
Obviously Iran is ignoring the 1949 Third Geneva Conventions and its Article XIII regarding humiliating and degrading prisoners of war.
And why are the Brits allowing Iran to humiliate them?
This is a replay of the fecklessness of the Jimmy Carter Iran Hostage crisis of 1979 when Iran held Americans for 444 days.
Will Britain let this play out or will their be a further provocation and/or response?
Flap will repeat his recommendations to Prime Minister Blair and President Bush:
1. Tell Iran they could keep the fifteen hostages all the time they want, even though they are violating the 1949 Third Geneva Convention Article XIII regarding humiliating and degrading prisoners of war and that those responsible in the Iranian government would be charged later with War Crimes.
2. If Iran persisted in holding the prisoners that within one week Iran might discover that their oil refining capability, nuclear facilities, and one gasoline refinery might not work nor exist.
3. If Iran continued to hold the prisoners, that within a week the United Kingdom and the United States would enforce a blockade of all gasoline into Iran.
4. But, of course, if Iran simply admits they made a mistake in their GPS coordinates and expeditiously returns the fifteen prisoners, Iran might return to a mechanized society under United Nations sanctions .
Tick Tock Tick Tock
Britain, the world is waiting.
Stay tuned…….
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Iran Watch: Britain Seeks Iran Condemnation from the United Nations
Iran Watch: Britain Must FIRST Admit “MISTAKEâ€
Iran Watch: Iran Parades Brit Hostages on TV
Iran Watch: Tony Blair Warns Iran
Iran Watch: Captured Brits – Show Trial or Bluff?
Iran Watch: Iran May Charge British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran to Try Brits for Spying?
Iran Watch: British Troops Transported To Tehran
Iran Watch: Are Seized British Troops Hostages?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Cancels United Nations Appearance
Iran Watch: Iran Seizes British Sailors in Iraq Waters
Technorati Tags: Iran, Iraq, Britain, UnitedKingdomYahyaRahimSafaviTonyBlairManouchehrMottaki
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Iran Watch: Britain Seeks Iran Condemnation from the United Nations
****Update****
Blair: Britain Won’t Negotiate With Iran
Prime Minister Tony Blair said Thursday that Britain would not negotiate over British sailors and marines held hostage by Iran. In an interview with ITV News, Blair again called for the unconditional return of the 15 Royal Navy personnel who were seized by Iranian authorities last week.
Britain’s Sky News meanwhile said Iran had released another letter by captured sailor Faye Turney, this time calling for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
“The important thing for us is to get them back safe and sound, but we can’t enter into some basis of bargaining,” Blair said. “What you have to do when you are engaged with people like the Iranian regime, you have to keep explaining to them, very patiently, what it is necessary to do and at the same time make them fully aware there are further measures that will be taken if they’re not prepared to be reasonable.
“What you can’t do is end up negotiating over hostages; end up saying there’s some quid pro quo or tit for tat; that’s not acceptable,” he said.
Ok, now what?
The United Nations won’t act quickly or at all.
Who will blink first?
Map locating the area in the Gulf where Britain says its 15 sailors were captured by Iran last week. Britain has taken its escalating crisis with Iran over 15 captured sailors to the UN Security Council, as Tehran said it would not release the only woman among the detainees.
USA Today: Iran halts female sailor’s release as Britain seeks U.N. condemnation
Britain said Thursday that it would seek United Nations condemnation of Iran for taking its 15 Royal Navy crewmembers last week, as the dispute over the fate of the crew grew.
Iran, however, said Britain had mishandled the situation and said it would not release Britain’s lone female crewmember as it said it would because it was increasing international pressure.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Ali Larijani, chastised Britain for having “an incorrect attitude” and warned that release of any of the captives may not be imminent.Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that the promised release of sailor Faye Turney would be suspended. And Larijani, head of Iran’s supreme national security council, hinted on Iranian state radio that the crew could be put on trial, saying, “This case may face a legal path.”
And does Britain really think they will get any relief in the United Nations Security Council? Britain and the rest of the EU have been feckless with regards to Iran’s nuclear program so why should Iran change its behavior in this case?
Of course, you know what Flap recommends to UK PM Tony Blair.
Stay tuned………
An Iranian hardline student holds an anti-British placard outside Iran’s Foreign Ministry in Tehran.
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Iran Watch: Britain Must FIRST Admit “MISTAKEâ€
Iran Watch: Iran Parades Brit Hostages on TV
Iran Watch: Tony Blair Warns Iran
Iran Watch: Captured Brits – Show Trial or Bluff?
Iran Watch: Iran May Charge British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran to Try Brits for Spying?
Iran Watch: British Troops Transported To Tehran
Iran Watch: Are Seized British Troops Hostages?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Cancels United Nations Appearance
Iran Watch: Iran Seizes British Sailors in Iraq Waters
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