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Memo to Tehran: Give it up

Posted: Friday, March 30, 2007 12:54 PM by Hardball

Okay guys, you stepped in it this time.  You really need to figure out a face-saving way to get out of the mess you have created by seizing 15 British sailors and marines. 

Your past record is abominable, so what makes you think that anyone is buying this fiction that the British were in Iranian waters?  Putting young British sailors on Iranian television reciting obviously coerced “confessions” is ludicrous – no one but possibly the most gullible among your domestic audience takes these statements as fact.  Even more ridiculous are the letters written by the sole woman among the detainees, as well as her appearances in a chador.  Again, do you really think that anyone believes this charade is how members of the Royal Navy would comport themselves in captivity?

Of course, one only needs to look back on the glorious history of the Islamic Republic to answer that question. After all, you are the same people that seized the American Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and held over 50 American diplomats hostage for more than a year.  In 1982, you deployed your Qods Force to Lebanon to create another laudable group – Hezbollah.  Not happy with just that feat, you began taking hostages there, seizing and murdering the CIA Chief of Station in Beirut and a U.S. Marine colonel serving with the United Nations.

Your handling of the 2004 incident—the three-day detention of eight British sailors and marines in a similar incident—was only marginally better.  Yes, you got your “apology” and tried to embarrass the British on the world stage. 

News flash: No one believes you! 

Your recent statement that you will release the 15 Britons when the United Kingdom withdraws its forces from Iraq is reminiscent of similar demands made by Iraqi insurgents and al-Qaida in Iraq members after they had seized nationals of coalition member countries.  Are you sure you want to be cast in the same light as terrorist cutthroats? 

What you are doing now appears to be a childish reaction to the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous vote to toughen sanctions on you for your defiance of the world over your uranium enrichment activities.  The impression that you have made on the world—when Iran does not get its way, it takes hostages.  Now there’s a legacy for the Islamic Republic….

Now that you have shown your true colors, do your really think that anyone is going to trust you when you make claims about your “nuclear energy” research program?
One could reach the conclusion that you guys are looking for a fight.  Keep this up and you just might get one. 

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Comments

Of course the British were in Iranian waters. They have a history of bulying other countires and when they are caught they cry out. The Iran is already convicted of being the Great evil here in the USA. But let's not be hyppocrits if it was the other way around Iranians caught they would be sent directly top Gauantamo Bay. Why There is always this perception that Americans and British are better than the other people of the world? What would the British do if they found Iranians in their waters? I don't want to live in Iran but come on that's not my business how they live. To get respect the British and the Americans need to to respect to others.

Neil Mora (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:56 PM)

I really don't care if they were in Iranian waters or not, at this point. Do you really think Britintelligence needs to "spy" with a dingy?! Get real!! The Iranians will use ANYTHING to start "stuff" (substitute your own word there). They thumb their Yep, let's try diplomacy, then count to ten. Then help Britain "Handle it's Business!"

Taylor T. (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:56 PM)

I am a true brit and am ashamed that Tony Blair has not told Iran, free our service men and woman in 48hours of we will blow you off the face of the earth. Then again Britain also has its loony lefts who while smoking a joint, spout peace and love while the country is bombarded with mindless thugs who want to distroy the country. What the UK needs is another Churchill who knows how to fight. As for the USA perhaps the people should get behind the president and give him some support before it's to late.

jane doe (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:57 PM)

This is a simple issue. If your children were taken captive by another household in your neighborhood, what would you do? Would it matter to you if your kids had trespassed or not? It would not matter to me. I would get my kids back. If they had done wrong, if they had tresspassed, I would make it right with the landowner. But to allow them to remain captive is unacceptable behavior for any parent. And for any government! The United Kingdom should take any measures necessary to recover their military service members held captive by a hostile nation and stop worrying about what the world at large thinks. And as they have stood by us, we should return that loyality and support them in this issue. This is not a political issue. This is about what is right. And to leave those soldiers and sailors in Iran as captives is wrong.

Joe Leroux III, Norton, KS (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:59 PM)

I feel sorrry for Iran people that there leaders are taking them down a one way path of destruction. Wake up Iran and do the good thing for a change.

KC (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 5:02 PM)

If the USA & UK doesn't end this problem with Iran about the british captured as fast as it got started,Iran might as well have a free pass to do anything and take their sweet time enjoying it ! To bad so many people can't do the right thing now days and you know where i'm coming from .

imupset , NC (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 5:03 PM)

Nothing will happen for a while. UK/Europe has been neutered and the USA is stretched thin. Isreal, however, has nowhere to go when Tehran finally gets a nuke. Whether homegrown or from Pakistan,big or small, when the threat becomes very close, Isreal will have no choice but to launch. And they will take out Damascus, Cairo,Tehran, and maybe Mecca and Medina just for fun.

Baddog, Central Coast, CA. (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 5:04 PM)

What on earth happened to the British? Remember the Falkland Islands? The British had no problem taking action against the Argentines. Why are the Iranian fanatics special? C'mon England, get with the program.

D Rankin (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 5:10 PM)

Iran will have to be dealt with. We will choose the time and place.

dan Washington state (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 5:12 PM)

Bottom line: We sent our boys to the wrong country that started with the letters I-R-A.

Sam Deutsch (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 5:14 PM)

While we have the naval forces in the area, as well as UK forces, Iran should be given a dead line to release the prisoners or face an attack. Time line should be no more than 48 hours. (Robert McGillen, USA Ret, you are a disgrace to your country.)

Robert, Sacramento, CA (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 5:17 PM)

I see a simple solution. In Iraq, along the border with Iran, the Peace Keeping Forces need support. The English needs to support these efforts along that border. It would be nice if they would send maybe 4-500,000 soldiers, appropriate number of armored vehicles, tanks ect... The purpose would be to control the area. Yeah, being that close to the Iranian dogs would make them nervous. At same time they could increase activities along the coast.

Kurt Braun Ely Nevada (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 5:19 PM)

The Islamic fanatics declared war on western society when they seized the American Embassy and took hostages back in 1979. This latest violation of international law illustrates the boldness which they now process. Like Hitler, they are taking their aggression to the next level. The time has come for the western nations to confront them militarily. Any further delay will only result in a more horrific conflict later. We must view Iran in the same light as Churchill saw Nazi Germany.

Richard, Brooklyn, NY (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 5:28 PM)

Why is no one covering Congressman Kucinich's introduction of Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President of the United States? What they heck?

Mac, Round Rock, TX (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 3:53 PM)



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