Iran Ups Ante As UK Sailors Confess - Blair warns Iran on 15 seized sailors...

[bridgit]

'LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair warned Iran on Sunday that the fate of 15 British sailors and marines seized off the Iraqi coast was a "fundamental" issue for his government, as Iran suggested the group may be put on trial for violating its waters.

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett spoke by telephone with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki late Sunday, and reiterated her country's stance that the British sailors and marines were operating in Iraqi waters as they searched for smugglers at sea.'

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070325/ap_on_re_mi_ea/british_seized_iran

[Erika]

1. Mr. Blair may regret joining W on the perceived axis of evil

Both the American and British militaries have been severely weakened by the involvement in Iraq.

[spoony]

2. In good faith they should release a video or something

to show that they're alright.

"Iran's top military official, Gen. Ali Reza Afshar, said on Saturday the seized Britons were taken to Tehran for questioning and had confessed to what he called an "aggression into the Islamic Republic of Iran's waters." He did not say what would happen to them but said all were being treated well and were in good health."

Yeah, right, I'm sure they worded it just like that, right before they converted.

I don't know what the hell is wrong with Tehran, they're practically begging Bush and Blair to attack them.

[Erika]

4. Iran is standing up to the perceived "Western" aggression

W/Blair has weakened both militaries to the point we can no longer be effective. Paper tiger produced by W.

[spoony]

9. I know

but in doing so they aren't behaving like a country trying to avoid a war. We aren't either, but that doesn't mean they have to play along. It just helps slick the slide towards disaster.

[WorldResident]

3. Ahmenijad wants war and he wants it bad

The question is does the UK take the bait ... Because if they do, then the US will probably take the bait as well and possibly Israel.

[Erika]

5. Pakistan has said it will not take our side against a Muslim country

We aren't in shape to fight a war against the Mideast because of W's Iraqi war.

[malaise]

20. Well then they'll orchestrate a coup

against Mushie. I've been expecting this during the cricket World Cup.

[Erika]

7. Israel also has found their limitations in their last war n/t

[Dhalgren]

10. Ahmadinejad probably isn't the one in control of this.

It is probably the call of the Supreme Jurisprudent, Ali Khamenei.

[WorldResident]

11. You're probably right

n/t

[babylonsister]

14. Not necessarily; he sounds like 'our' admin to me. Quid pro quo. nt

[Dhalgren]

6. Someone with authority in Iran should release those sailors, unharmed, now.

Someone in Iran has got to be "plugged-in" enough to know that releasing these Brits would be the best thing at this point. This isn't the time for Iran to be making the wrong move regarding British and American public opinions. Right now a gesture of largess from the Iranians would be the perfect move. It would show reason and rationality on the Iranians' part - in stark contrast to the US and Britain...

[Erika]

8. Exactly and agreed 100% n/t

[FVZA_Colonel]

12. I'm having a real hard time believing that these "confessions" are all that valid.

I think it entirely possible that these soldiers may have entered Iranian waters, if only accidently. Whether or not, however, the actions Iran is now taking just don't seem that helpful for them. I have to agree with others in the thread, Iran needs to release them, and now.

[windbreeze]

13. Could someone please explain to me....exactly how we know....

that things are happening, as they are being reported? We have not been able to trust the MSM on anything they've said for the last how many years???...should we believe them now, and hang on every word as though it is the absolute gospel truth? I find it hard to do...
wb

[bridgit]

16. i think some things are easier to extrapolate i.e. we & the brits are both...

in the region carrying out military operations that have been reported on for some time now (there was another link posted on the 22nd which mentions a skirmish between iranian & american forces so there's that aspect to); iran is a sovereign nation ready to break it down Barney Style for anyone that doesn't think so, everyone in the region is vying for position/advantage, the muslim world press has no reservation in reporting matters from their view, and western media (though not necessarily american MSM) seems a little more willing to report events having reported very little thus far in this head-long trip & fall into endless war, and the west seems more than willing to provoke in their pursuit of a premise for expanded operations, etc

but you're right, who can say for sure

[windbreeze]

17. See the thing that bothers me....is that we know

* wants to attack Iran, it's just that simple...He is looking for a reason,(justification) and knowing the false information that was dealt out before Iraq..I don't trust a word of this...I don't believe in coincidence and this is just too damned convenient...I think he and his are capable of doing anything to get what * WANTS...after all, he was hell bent on getting Saddam......9/11 happened conveniently, and then he beat it into justification for attacking Iraq...by saying 9/11/Iraq in every speech he gave, numerous times, until a great percentage of Americans believed that Iraq attacked us on that day(something like 70% I believe)...why does anyone think he/Blair are above doing anything sneaky now???

What is the guy in Iran doing(if Iran did take 15 hostages, eerrr, prisoners that is).. well, hell, he's making a point...you ain't getting a free ride this time, this isn't Iraq, and I am not Saddam...it's gonna cost you...and maybe it's just a little bit self preservation...in an odd way..trying to scare us off of our intent...since our intent is known world wide...

So what are all those ships of ours and various others doing in the area? Isn't that a jab in Iran's eye with a big stick? I am afraid this is going to get very interesting...and like all other things that have happened in the last 6 years...we will find out, later on...that all of this was lies, nothing but lies..after all, how else can we get the world at large(all those people protesting the war in Iraq)to see, we need to invade and teach them damned Iranians a lesson...the fact remains...this is the only planet we all have to live on...someone needs to think about that...
windbreeze

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

15. for all Iran knows the boat was delivering spies

[muriel_volestrangler]

19. In military uniform? No. (n/t)

[Bronyraurus]

18. Don't report as news

that the soldiers confessed. It's almost certainly bullshit.