BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Barry Finn
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 02:21 PM

Did it ever occur to you that they, (the Brits and the USA) MAY OR MAY NOT have been trespassing in other peoples countries and waters & that they MAY OR MAY NOT have been in those waters acting on no one's authority and/or mandate but they may or may ni=ot have been acting on there own.

Had they tried to stay a farther distance than 1.7 nuatical miles from a known disputed border they wouldn't have been in this mess in the 1st place.

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: GUEST,a brit
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 02:00 PM

On hearing the news this afternoon that Iran were returning the members of our navy as a gift, I tried to imagine how this incident would pan out on a smaller scale, such as a scenario with you(Y) and your neighbour(N).

Y: Hey, You have stolen 15 gnomes from my garden. Give them back.
N: No I haven't. They were in my garden, so I am going to keep them.
Y: They were not in your garden. They are mine and I want them back.
N: No you cannot have them, I am keeping them.
Y: If you don't give them back I'm going to get very angry.
N: Tough. I am keeping them. They are really happy. Look, I will show you a photo.
Y: Why has girly gnome got an empty crisp packet on her head?
N: She prefers it. All Girly gnomes do.
Y: I am getting really annoyed now. If you don't give back my gnomes I will never speak to you again. And if you still don't give them back I'm going to beat you up.
N: Yeah, you and whose army?
Y: Well, my mate George across the road is upset with you and has promised to help me beat you up. You know that he always backs me up........eventually. Even that turkey the other side of you thinks that you are out of order.
N: They are my gnomes, but if you want them that much I shall give them to you as a present.
Y: And I promise that I will not beat you up now.

Y: ( under your breath and with a wry smile ) But I will in the near future.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 01:59 PM

Sigh...

I'm pleased that the Iranians have seen fit to release the 15 British sailors and marines without conditions.

I do believe the London did acknowledge in a letter that the border in the waterway was "in dispute" and it would endeavor to stay further away from its whereabouts in the future.

The Iranian president did request that the British not punish the sailors and marines for their "confessions." I do wonder if the 15 will be tortured, tried, and sentenced to by hung for "disgracing" the British Crown or whatever, but it's more likely that they'll be admonished and released to their eagerly awaiting families and friends.

I doubt if any of the parties involved in the negoitiations surveyed the wise (and not so wise) words in this thread but I feel better having this forum for discussion of unworldly events.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: beardedbruce
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 01:50 PM

Did it ever occur to you that they, [the Brits[ and the USA WERE NOT trespassing in other peoples countries and waters? It is as simple as that.

Or are looking at the facts a foreign idea to you?

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: ard mhacha
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 01:44 PM

Did it ever occur to you that they, [the Brits[ and the USA shouldn`t be trespassing in other peoples countries and waters, bird brain Bush and his poodle Blair would make the world a much safer place if they took their murdering troops out of Iraq. It is as simple as that.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 01:43 PM

IRAN INSULTED - war immenent!

A captured Marine said that their falafel was awful.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: beardedbruce
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 01:31 PM

ard,

Sorry if the facts of the matter have no meaning to you. Dianavan stated "Quite the contrary. I'm trying to get to the truth by questioning all accounts of this incident. I know that there are two sides to every story.

I don't think you can draw any firm conclusions when the media accounts are contradictory and there is so much that has been omitted, filtered and revised."

You have some sort of problem with me holding her to her stated comments?

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: ard mhacha
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 01:24 PM

And that was my response to BB`s excellent imitation of Dr Goobels .

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: ard mhacha
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 01:18 PM

That is one long-winded crap-spreader.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: beardedbruce
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 11:09 AM

Iran president to free UK sailors
POSTED: 11:02 a.m. EDT, April 4, 2007
Story Highlights• Iranian President Ahmadinejad meets UK detainees after announcing amnesty
• Ahmadinejad says 15 to be pardoned and freed as "gift to Brtish people"
• Downing Street welcomes remarks; 15 to be released to UK Embassy in Tehran
• Ahmadinejad commends bravery of border guards who detained the 15

Adjust font size:
TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has met with some of the 15 British military personnel held in Iranian custody for almost two weeks, shortly after pardoning the group and vowing to set them free.

Iranian state television showed footage of Ahmadinejad shaking hands, smiling and chatting with the detainees. One of the 15 was heard to comment in English: "We are grateful for your forgiveness."

Ahmadinejad announced the amnesty at the end of a lengthy news conference on Wednesday in which he said the 15 detainees had violated Iran's territorial waters, calling their release "a gift to the British people."

"I declare that the people of Iran and the government of Iran -- in full power to place on trial the military people -- to give amnesty and pardon to these 15 people and I announce their freedom and their return to the people of Britain," Ahmadinejad told a news conference.

The action was a goodwill gesture for the Iranian new year, he said, adding that Iran had received a letter from Britain promising not to intrude into Iranian waters.

"The British government sent a letter to our Foreign Ministry and said it would not happen again. Of course, our decision had nothing to do with the letter. It's a decision made by our government to give a gift to the people of Britain," Ahmadinejad said in answer to a reporter's question.

An Iranian diplomat in London told The Associated Press that the 15 would be handed over to the British Embassy in Tehran. Iranian state television said they would leave Iran by plane on Thursday, AP reported.

"They will go through some brief formalities and then they will go to the embassy," he said. "They can go on a British Airways flight to Heathrow, they can go through the UAE, it is up to the British Embassy in Tehran in coordination with the Foreign Office here."

A spokeswoman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed the announcement: "We are now establishing exactly what this means in terms of the method and timing of their release."

In New York, Britain's U.N. Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry said: "If this news is confirmed, then it's tremendous news and we're delighted."

In Washington, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said, "President Bush also welcomes the news."

Ahmadinejad had earlier praised the border guards who captured the 15, presenting their commander with a medal for bravery.

"I thank the border guards who bravely protect our borders and also arrested the violators, and I grant them the bravery medal to their commander," Ahmadinejad said.

Ahmadinejad was speaking after a senior Iranian official on Wednesday welcomed UK efforts to negotiate the release of the marines and sailors.

Iran's parliament speaker Gholamali Haddadadel told an Iranian state broadcaster's Web site that British efforts to negotiate the detainees' release were "appropriate."

"The British are trying to solve the issue of their arrested soldiers with negotiations and this is appropriate action," Haddadadel was quoted as saying.

But he added: "The British should agree to their mistake and change their behavior of before."

Haddadadel is considered an influential figure within Iran because of his connections with the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to whom he is related by marriage.

A spokeswoman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed late on Tuesday that diplomatic moves had been made towards Tehran. (Watch how tempers have cooled in diplomatic dispute )

Iran had insisted that Britain must admit its military personnel intruded into Iranian territorial waters and "guarantee this violation would not be committed again."

Britain insists the sailors and marines were well inside Iraqi waters when Iran captured them on March 23.

Iran had released several videos showing the 14 men and one woman in which they appeared to be in good health. Iran also released videotaped confessions from four of the sailors -- including the woman, Faye Turney. (Watch the two crew members describe their 'intrusion' )

Britain said the confessions were coerced and expressed its outrage at the videos' release.

The newest images, published Tuesday by the Iranian news agency Fars, show crew members talking in a group and playing a game.

Other developments

A U.S. military official said Washington officials were considering a request made by Iran to allow Iranian representatives access to the five detained Iranians captured early January by U.S. forces during a military raid in northern Iraq. "The request has been made but nothing has been approved," the official told CNN on Wednesday. (Iraq pressing U.S. to release Iranians)


Iranian officials in Kish Island said a U.S. inquiry into an American citizen who has been missing for several weeks in southern Iran was made for "political purposes," according to IRNA, Iran's state-run news agency.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: beardedbruce
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 11:08 AM

dianavan,

You state:

"Why should the Iraqis have to negotiate the release of Iranians kidnapped by the U.S. on their soil? I thought Iraq governed their own country. If Iraq wants them released, that should be the end of it. Let them go.

And get this - If it weren't for the Kurds, we wouldn't know anything about the abductions. Even the kurds like the Iranians more than Americans."


The post I made stated:

"BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A senior Iraqi Foreign Ministry official said on Tuesday that the government was "intensively" seeking release of five Iranians detained by the U.S. military more than two months ago in northern Iraq.

"We are intensively seeking the release of the five Iranians," the senior official said.

"This will be a factor that will help in the release of the British sailors and marines" held by Iran since March 25. (Watch signs Iran may be looking for way out of standoff )

The official also said that the Iraqi government had exerted pressure on those holding an Iranian diplomat, who was released Monday and returned to Tehran on Tuesday. The official would not say who had held the diplomat.

The U.S. military has said the five Iranians, who were arrested January 11 in the northern city of Irbil, were part of an Iranian Revolutionary Guard force that provides funds, weapons and training to Shiite militias in Iraq.

Two days after the raid, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said President Bush approved the strategy of raiding Iranian targets in Iraq as part of efforts to confront Tehran.

Iran had insisted that the five detained Iranians were engaged exclusively in consular work.

The Iranian diplomat who was released on Monday was kidnapped in mysterious circumstances two months ago. (Full story)

Iranian authorities reported the release of Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary at the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, and said he would return to Tehran later Tuesday.

An official at the Iranian embassy confirmed Sharafi's release, but said he did not know who was responsible for freeing him.

"He was kidnapped and I don't have further details," said the official, who added Sharafi had already left the country.

"He was released yesterday [Monday]," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity for not being authorized to speak to the media.

Sharafi was seized on February 4 when his car was intercepted by vehicles carrying armed men in the Karradah district of Baghdad. The gunmen, who wore Iraqi uniforms, forced him into one of their vehicles and sped away.

Iran said he had been taken by an Iraqi military unit commanded by the U.S. forces, and said it was holding the Americans responsible for his safety.

The U.S. authorities denied any role in his disappearance. "

So, the US is still holding FIVE (5) Iranians. The one released was by the efforts of the Iraqis, with unknown captors, and ONLY Iran had blamed the US. Since the US has denied capturing THAT Iranian, your comment does not show a willingness to give BOTH sides of the story a chance to be told.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 10:44 AM

....except 23 March 5.20pm and 24 March 11.19am!

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 10:41 AM

My post just reflects how I feel about it all since I have not posted to this thread before.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 10:33 AM

(My post was in response to ard's ... although I suppose it's applicable to eanjay's as well ... ).

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 10:29 AM

Well - yeah, sure. Definitely. But surely we can be allowed a moment to savour our relief at the peaceful resolution of this crisis ...

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 10:26 AM

It is good news that they have been released but it is a disgrace that they were captured in the first place.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: ard mhacha
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 09:28 AM

Better news if they were patrolling the Straits of Dover. Do you all agree?

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 09:26 AM

Good news! Can we all agree on that?

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: ard mhacha
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 09:25 AM

Just announced on BBC, sailors released , Iran described it as a gift to Britain, George Bush would have preferred the oil-fields.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Barry Finn
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 12:40 AM

Donnel, in light of recent events coming to the surface, I think that what they did was pretty funny too. So whose got the best sense of humor in the middle east? It must be Bush cause it seems that the jokes are always on him or at least always at his expense or maybe Blair's.

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Peace
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 12:37 AM

No more.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 12:32 AM

Peace, whats wrong, you were the most compassionate person a year ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Peace
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 12:31 AM

I do not give a rat's ass what you do or don't accept, Dianavan. We will never get along about anything, and I am as glad about that as you are. Goodnight.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 12:27 AM

You shall know them by their sense of humor...

Iranians have arguably the second best sense of humor in the entire middle east.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: dianavan
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 11:58 PM

By the sounds of it, you're the one who is frustrated.

I can accept your opinion but not when you call it fact.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Peace
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 10:21 PM

I am aware it was their choice. I did not suggest it was my choice. And yes, it was my opinion. And my opinion about it is just as valid as yours. And this guy was enlightened, right?

Go take up your frustrations with someone else.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: dianavan
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 10:08 PM

"...they have become a very backward people who live under a religious fuckwit."

Thats not a fact but an opinion.

If you were Iranian, you would prefer the Shah?

Seems it was their choice, not yours.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Peace
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 09:15 PM

"But that doesn't stop people waxing indignant about Iran and Hezbollah and so forth."

True. It doesn't and shouldn't. Nor should the USA/Britain be let off the hook. But there is a definite move on this thread to treat the Iranian bastards like they are hard-done-by innocents. Fact is, they have become a very backward people who live under a religious fuckwit. They have a surplus of billions, and their economy is a mess, but they have money to spend on the military. Kinda like the US and the UK. If you intend to call one country crap, you should also be prepared to say the same of the others. (That is not a response to you, Kevin.)

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: dianavan
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 09:14 PM

Bush certainly has no grasp on the politics, thats for sure. Read the article McGrath linked.

Bush "... identified Iran and Syria as America's main enemies in Iraq though the four-year-old guerrilla war against US-led forces is being conducted by the strongly anti-Iranian Sunni-Arab community. Mr Jafari himself later complained about US allegations. "So far has there been a single Iranian among suicide bombers in the war-battered country?" he asked. "Almost all who involved in the suicide attacks are from Arab countries."

Its the Sunni-Arabs who are the insurgents in Iraq. Why back the Sunni-Arabs in Iran? He's trying to play two ends against the middle and some people are buying Bushs' attempt to blame Iran. For what? They are not the aggressors. Why would anyone believe anything Bush has to say about Iran or anyone else?

Why do you think it is the Iranians who are funding the terrorists, Peace? What proof do you have? How many terrorists or suicide bombers are Iranian? If you look closely, its probably the Arabs or the Americans who have something to gain, not the Iranians. If you're such an authority on the Middle East, you should learn to differentiate between Arabs and Persians and stop blaming Iran for the problems in the Middle East. Learn to know your enemy.

Why should the Iraqis have to negotiate the release of Iranians kidnapped by the U.S. on their soil? I thought Iraq governed their own country. If Iraq wants them released, that should be the end of it. Let them go.

And get this - If it weren't for the Kurds, we wouldn't know anything about the abductions. Even the kurds like the Iranians more than Americans.

So - O.K., one Iranian has been released. Lets at least see the other four on t.v. so that we know they are not being tortured by the U.S.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Gulliver
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 08:50 PM

About time the Brits were caught at their dirty tricks. The captured seamen/women have admitted they were in the wrong. Time for Blair & Co to admit the same and then get out of the locality--where they've no right to be...

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Little Hawk
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 08:35 PM

Why do we have to believe any of them? (on either side, I mean) They are all self-serving and ruthless.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: C. Ham
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 08:32 PM

Once again the Cockburn Principle applies, as expressed by the late Claude Cockburn, who advised anyone listening to a politician (or to anyone speaking on behalf of a politician) to always be sure to ask themselves "Why is this lying bastard lying to me?".

Yeah, much better to believe the Holocaust-denying Iranian revolutionaries.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 08:29 PM

But that doesn't stop people waxing indignant about Iran and Hezbollah and so forth. Axis of Terror and all that stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Peace
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 08:05 PM

It may be that, but more cogently it's a case of appeasing Saudi Arabia. However, anyone who doesn't realize that dissidents in Iran will be supported by the US just as 'jihadists' in other countries in the Middle East are supported by Iran has no grasp at all on politics in that area of the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Little Hawk
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 08:01 PM

It's not a case of incompetence, it's a case of misplaced loyalty.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: dianavan
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 07:59 PM

From the article linked by McGrath, in the Independent:

"The US is also reportedly backing Sunni Arab dissidents in Khuzestan in southern Iran who are opposed to the government in Tehran."

Who said that Iran was not being threatened by the U.S. and Britain?

Reading that article made me angrier than I have been since the U.S. invaded Iraq. Who dares to support either Bush or Blair? How incompetent do they have to be?

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 07:34 PM

"when the benefits are outweighed by the disadvantages, you stop inviting bores and drunks to your parties..."

Come to think of it, I haven't been invited to any parties in a while ...

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 07:16 PM

Amen LH... when the benefits are outweighed by the disadvantages, you stop inviting bores and drunks to your parties...



"is eventually gonna fail, because they think they are smarter than they really are. "

I should have really said

When push comes to shove in any way other than physical muscle, the 'American Empire" is eventually gonna fail, because they think they are smarter than everybody else, and also that they are much smarter than they really are.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Little Hawk
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 06:47 PM

It is also going to fail because its activities are becoming intolerable to a great majority of the world's people.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 06:22 PM

When push comes to shove in any way other than phusical muscle, the 'American Empire" is eventually gonna fail, because they think they are smarter than they really are.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 06:07 PM

So much for the claim that the Iraq government is in charge of things, and the US and co are just there to help out, when the Iraqis have to "lobby" for these people to be released. And, so far, lobby unsuccesfully.

Here is todays's front page story from the Independent: The botched US raid that led to the hostage crisis

Once again the Cockburn Principle applies, as expressed by the late Claude Cockburn, who advised anyone listening to a politician (or to anyone speaking on behalf of a politician) to always be sure to ask themselves "Why is this lying bastard lying to me?".

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: dianavan
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 05:13 PM

"Iraq also says it is lobbying to win the release of five Iranians seized by US forces in January." Financial Times, U.K.

Iraq has always maintained that it doesn't want to get between the U.S. and Iran.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Barry Finn
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 01:59 PM

Thanks for that post BB, very interesting.

Seems that if what BB posted is true, that the Iranians are getting back more than a worthless apology & they still hold the 15 sailors to boot.

2nd rate military? The shame of it is the Iranians did it in public, under semi-legal circumstances all the while exposing an illegal kidnapping by ? They now could be seen by the world as being justified in thaier actions, in a tit for tat sot of way.

If that was their ploy, all along, as others here have suggested, then they are far more tactical & tactful than most here have given them credit for.

2nd rate military?

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: beardedbruce
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 11:07 AM

Iraq official: U.S. pressed to release detained Iranians
POSTED: 9:36 a.m. EDT, April 3, 2007

Story Highlights• Iraq official: Release of Iranians would help free 15 British troops held by Iran
• U.S. has said the five Iranians were providing help, weapons to Shiite militias
• Iraqi official says Iraq helped gain Monday's release of Iranian diplomat
• Official will not say who was holding the Iranian diplomat

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A senior Iraqi Foreign Ministry official said on Tuesday that the government was "intensively" seeking release of five Iranians detained by the U.S. military more than two months ago in northern Iraq.

"We are intensively seeking the release of the five Iranians," the senior official said.

"This will be a factor that will help in the release of the British sailors and marines" held by Iran since March 25. (Watch signs Iran may be looking for way out of standoff )

The official also said that the Iraqi government had exerted pressure on those holding an Iranian diplomat, who was released Monday and returned to Tehran on Tuesday. The official would not say who had held the diplomat.

The U.S. military has said the five Iranians, who were arrested January 11 in the northern city of Irbil, were part of an Iranian Revolutionary Guard force that provides funds, weapons and training to Shiite militias in Iraq.

Two days after the raid, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said President Bush approved the strategy of raiding Iranian targets in Iraq as part of efforts to confront Tehran.

Iran had insisted that the five detained Iranians were engaged exclusively in consular work.

The Iranian diplomat who was released on Monday was kidnapped in mysterious circumstances two months ago. (Full story)

Iranian authorities reported the release of Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary at the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, and said he would return to Tehran later Tuesday.

An official at the Iranian embassy confirmed Sharafi's release, but said he did not know who was responsible for freeing him.

"He was kidnapped and I don't have further details," said the official, who added Sharafi had already left the country.

"He was released yesterday [Monday]," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity for not being authorized to speak to the media.

Sharafi was seized on February 4 when his car was intercepted by vehicles carrying armed men in the Karradah district of Baghdad. The gunmen, who wore Iraqi uniforms, forced him into one of their vehicles and sped away.

Iran said he had been taken by an Iraqi military unit commanded by the U.S. forces, and said it was holding the Americans responsible for his safety.

The U.S. authorities denied any role in his disappearance.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 08:19 AM

"...led by a band of religious-lunatic arseholes
That's Iran or the USA?"

Both, McG.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 08:15 AM

"Life all becomes quite clear after a certain age... "


... for some, it's when they reach double digits...

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 08:02 AM

Meanwhile the Iranians are bringing on-line another 1000 or so centrifuges for their "atoms for peace" program. They should be able to generate enough high level nuclear material within two years to blow their entire country to bits. That would be sad.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 05:53 AM

He is. Life all becomes quite clear after a certain age...

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: dianavan
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 12:59 AM

Congratulations, McGrath.

You got it right when you said, "It wouldn't be hard to come up with a verbal formula which could be interpreted by the British Government as denying any frontier violations while being interpreted by the Iranian Government as accepting that they had happened. The key would be to build the formula round a determination to avoid any such incidents in the future."

You should be a diplomat.

Subject: RE: BS: Sailors kidnapped by Revolutionary Guard
From: Peace
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 11:19 PM

Jaw jaw is better than war war.

W Churchill.