Standoff: Iranians Picket U.K. Embassy

Protestors Toss Rocks, Firecrackers At Compound, Demand British Ambassador Be Expelled

(AP)  Hundreds of 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.

The demonstration stood in stark contrast to statements made Sunday by British government officials that they were looking for new ways to resolve the crisis peacefully.

Several dozen policemen prevented the protesters from entering the embassy compound, although a few briefly scaled a fence outside the facility'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 shouted "the British spies should be tried."

In speeches made before the students turned on the compound, they demanded the Iranian government expel the British ambassador and close down the embassy, calling it a "den of spies."

They also advised Tehran not to release Faye Turney, the lone female sailor held captive, or show any flexibility until the British apologized for violating Iran's borders.

Also on Sunday, Iran's official Arabic-language television channel aired short video clips of what it said were two of the 15 captured British sailors who in the footage pointed to a map of the Persian Gulf.

Government-run Al-Alam TV said the two sailors were identifying where their boat crossed into Iranian waters on March 23, leading to their capture.

The two soldiers, who appeared in separate video clips wearing military fatigues and pointing at the same map, were talking to a camera, but Al-Alam did not air their voices.

Instead, the newscaster said the two "have confessed" to trespassing into Iranian waters "illegally." The newscaster also gave more details about the incident, saying the 15 left their ship in a small boat in the morning of March 23 and entered the Iranian waters at 10 a.m. local time.

The TV broadcast also said the captured sailors have said that they are receiving "good and humanitarian treatment."

Earlier Sunday, Al Allam reported without quoting any officials by name that two U.S. airplanes had violated Iranian air space. But a U.S. military spokesman, Air Force Lt. Col. Mike Pierson, said there were no reports of any U.S. aircraft violating Iranian airspace.

Britain and Iran are at a standoff over eight British sailors and seven marines who were detained by Iranian naval units on March 23 while patrolling for smugglers near the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab, a waterway that has long been a disputed dividing line between Iraq and Iran.

Britain said they were in Iraqi waters when detained, but Iran has contended the Britons entered its waters illegally.

A British Foreign Office spokeswoman in London, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government rules, said the demonstration had not caused damage to the embassy and diplomats inside continued to work.

"There is a police presence outside and there is no risk to those inside," said the spokeswoman.

Before the protest took place, British government officials said they were examining new options for dialogue with Tehran, but refused to discuss a report by the Sunday Telegraph newspaper that a naval officer would be sent to Tehran as a special envoy to negotiate the return of the personnel.

The report claimed the official would deliver an assurance that British naval crews would never deliberately enter Iranian waters without permission.

Transport Minister Douglas Alexander told the British Broadcasting Corp.'s Sunday AM program that Britain was engaged in "exploring the potential for dialogue with the Iranians."

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett appeared to soften rhetoric against Iran Saturday — though she stopped far short of the apology sought by many in Iran.

"I think everyone regrets that this position has arisen," Beckett said in Bremen, Germany, before returning to England. "What we want is a way out of it."

Also Sunday, Terry Waite, a British negotiator who spent almost five years as a hostage in Lebanon, said he planned to propose in writing on Monday a plan to travel to Iran to help free the British naval personnel.

Waite told CNN's "Late Edition" that he has not heard any reaction from British officials to his proposal and said he hoped to travel as part of a humanitarian mission.

"I think it would be very important that the trip is seen to be exclusively a humanitarian endeavor, not in any way financed by the government," he said.

Recent comments made by U.S. President George W. Bush and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have used a more confrontational tone.

Bush on Saturday called for the release of the sailors and marines, labeling their capture "inexcusable behavior."

"Iran must give back the hostages," Bush said. "They're innocent, they did nothing wrong, and they were summarily plucked out of waters."

Also on Saturday, Ahmadinejad called world powers "arrogant" for refusing to apologize.

"Instead of apologizing over trespassing by British forces, the world arrogant powers issue statements and deliver speeches," Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying during a speech in the southeastern city of Andinmeshk.

[tuckerndfw]

It appears the UK is following the US & Israel onto the list of most hated nations.

I never thought I would live to see the day when the US or UK was hated more than third world dictatorships.

Bush & Blair should be exchanged for the detainees.

[feelfree1]

Re: "Bush & Blair should be exchanged for the detainees."

That is, by far, the best outcome that we could ever hope for!

[on_alert247]

Tuckerndfw,

You are forgetting about Denmark; remember those outrageous cartoons and all the bombings and deaths. Perhaps if you just read the Hadith you would understand where this hatred comes from.

[rohink-2009]

You are forgetting about Denmark; remember those outrageous cartoons and all the bombings and deaths. Perhaps if you just read the Hadith you would understand where this hatred comes from.
Posted by on_alert247

No, they would rather blame everything on Bush and Blair. Don't you remember that prior to 2000 (when Bush stole the election) the whole world loved the United States and we all lived in peace.

[feelfree1]

At least this photo is slightly more convincing than the one of the 2 angry brown men with "death to America" signs, that CBS was previously presenting, in their effort to demonize the Iranian people. That was truly ridiculous.

We notice that this photo is yet another close-cropped photo, however, with probably no more than a dozen or so attending; still of a size that could be easily staged, and clearly not representative of the Iranian public.

I wouldn't be surprised if this photo originated from a film studio in Langley, VA, rather than Iran.

Bush/Blair are doing everything that they can to provoke Iran into a confrontation, and to condition the US/UK public for the coming war of aggression against Iran.

[feelfree1]

They have added another photo with a wider angle. I wonder where and when this other photo was taken?

[blazercoach1]

I'm not sure anybody is thinking about this from the so-called diplomatic standpoint. Use your imagination. How many times do you think the US and Soviet Union caught each others spies? How many times do you think we violated the air space of each others' nations or friendly nations? You'd be naive to think that it NEVER happened.

The reason we weren't told is because neither nation wanted to provoke a war. We didn't want either side to work its citizens into a frenzy that would only be appeased by violent action.

So it really doesn't matter IF the sailors were in Iranian water or not. The question is: why has their government thrust that opinion on its people? Why has it enflamed violent and angry thought that has already begun to provoke citizen action against the British consulate?

Why is Iran provoking its own citizens toward a violent confrontation? These have all of the hallmarks of the "pre-game" pep talk given by a coach before a "battle". They are whipped into a frenzy right before you give them a clear target.....the people over THERE! Now go get them!

Can any rational person tell me why else Iran handled it this way instead of quietly taking these people prisoner and negotiating under the table for whatever peaceful conclusion they could have achieved?

[tuckerndfw]

You are forgetting about Denmark; remember those outrageous cartoons and all the bombings and deaths.

Posted by on_alert247 at 01:02 PM : Apr 01, 2007

My comment came from the numbers cited in this BBC commissioned poll:

http://www.worldpress.org/Americas/2706.cfm

I'm not sure what Denmark or the Hadith has to do with the fact that the poll results indicate the US is more hated than anyone other than Iran and Israel. And, the poll was not restricted to Muslims or the Middle East.

[fascistusa]

America is a Fascist, Elite controlled Nation.

Our "news" is GOVERNMENT PROPAGANDA.

The Elite and Israel/AIPAC want Iran.

It's that simple.

Iran is NO THREAT TO AMERICA. NONE. ZERO. our Government is the real Threat.

[blazercoach1]

Tucker,

I'm amazed at how quickly you are willing to believe someone else's propoganda. I mean, it's good to maintain objectivity when reading your own goverment and culture's propoganda....but I'm not sure you're maintaining it when examining our government/culture from the other side. Just like you tend to accuse people of believing in this country too much, I haven't seen you ever question a negative opinion or report against this country.

Are you, in fact, just a zealous and unobjective AGAINST this country as you often accuse others of being FOR this country?

I am not commenting solely on your comments on this subject...but over the past several weeks/months.

[feelfree1]

It is encouraging to see that peaceful demonstration is allowed in some countries.

If a demonstration, such as the one shown in the wider angle photo, is attempted in here the U.S., it is usually met with violent police repression, including attacks by electrocution and chemical weapons, beatings, etc.

In the U.S., we never really know whether we might be spirited away to a secret prison and tortured to death, by the lackeys of the Bush terror network, if we criticise the regime.

[superpatr898]

blazer,

tucker rhymes with f is just another of the toilet water, Islamofascist appeasing atheists that constantly crawl on to this site.

He always takes their side, and joins the other bozo fascists and surrender monkeys in their hate-filled tirades against Bush, against America, against Israel, against Jooz and Christians. Now Britain - which is appeasing Iran - is on his list. You can imagine how he'd howl if Blair had cojones and starting nuking Iran.

He prefers living in a Third-World nation but lacks the balls aka courage of his convictions to move there. Maybe, just maybe he has an inkling what sharia would do to his need to rant and rave.

Like a sword cutting across a throat.

He is just another America hater who should be expelled - but we are a Republic that tolerates traitors, sometimes at the risk of our own existence.

[feelfree1]

tuckerndfw,

Re: "I haven't seen you ever question a negative opinion or report against this country. (blazercoach1)"

That is a pretty odd comment, coming from a first-time poster here, don't you think?

You must have a secret admirer.

[jscribe58]

England's attack on Iran is now overdue. Are they waiting for Iran to try the sailors and hang them? The more we play with the muslim world, the more they're going to humiliate us. I vote that when they do attack us again, they first bomb the Hollywood bleeding hearts who defend them. Now THAT would be justice.

[tuckerndfw]

I am not commenting solely on your comments on this subject...but over the past several weeks/months.

Posted by blazercoach1 at 01:39 PM : Apr 01, 2007

I consider George Bush to be the worst president in US history based on his own demonstrated performance.

I consider George Bush to be a pathological liar based on the fact he is a pathological liar.

Until such time George Bush is thrown out of office, hopefully, with most members of his corrupt GOP led congress going with him, the US will continue to be a target for world-wide disrepect, contempt and hatred. And, justifiably so.

I have no respect for Bush or anyone in his administration, so why would I expect anyone else to do so?

George Bush is the worst president in US history, without exception.

[fizzal-2009]

Every body in the world is in the area looking for tereorist and sounds like Iran has something too hide.

[whatithink-2009]

Our invasion of Iraq has really shown them.

It has shown them that you REAL need WMDs to avoid being invaded.

[tuckerndfw]

That is a pretty odd comment, coming from a first-time poster here, don't you think?

You must have a secret admirer.

Posted by feelfree1 at 01:52 PM : Apr 01, 2007

*ROFL*

I guess I'm just easy to get to know. . .

Who knows?

[feelfree1]

tuckerndfw,

Re: "I am not commenting solely on your comments on this subject...but over the past several weeks/months. (blazercoach1)"

You apparently have the Bush regime dead-enders hanging on your every word, for months on end.

I had no idea how effective you were. Well done!

[me4prezz]

blazercoach1:

I had the exact same thought. They are picking a fight. It is like the schoolyard bully who does anything they can to get you to hit him first and when you do, goes running to the teacher to say that you hit him...oh yeah, after you both end up in a big fist fight. This is the scenario I am getting from Iran...but why? I have no idea.

[whatithink-2009]

me4prezz,

How are they picking a fight when we detained several of their Iraqi embassy employees first?

[whatithink-2009]

Also considering that we've focused on Iran fueling the insurgency, yet most of the insurgents are Sunnis and not aligned to Iran but Saudi Arabia. Yet, you hear no such demands against Saudi Arabia.

[tuckerndfw]

You apparently have the Bush regime dead-enders hanging on your every word, for months on end.

I had no idea how effective you were. Well done!

Posted by feelfree1 at 02:04 PM : Apr 01, 2007

Thanks.

I have my own personal troll ("Superpatriot"). He (it?) follows me around and entertains me with his (its?) rhymes.

Good thing this is the Internet, I'd sure hate to have them in my front yard, trampling over the rose bushes, peeking in the windows, harassing my neighbors, etc.

[rangersmith1]

"students" my @#!%$

seems like the Commie Broadcast Station is up to it's 1979 tricks again.

Don

[superpatr898]

The day that a traitor like Tucker rhymes with F gets to me, FeelFascism, is the day you're playing with the snowball in hell.

Which is probably where you and your atheist Christian hating, Jooz-baiting, America blaming pal do wish to go to.

So, FeelFascist, when do you plan to give up your tony digs to a Native American and clear out - same for the nincompoop known as Tucker rhymes with F?

[bluestardad]

HEY SELL OUT AMERICA FIRST CROWD!

TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOUR BUDDIES CAUSE HALF OF THEM WONT BE THERE AFTER THE 08 ELECTIONS! THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW OF THEIR LIES AND DECEIT!

THEY SOLD OUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR ISRAEL AND NOW THEY ARE GOING TO PAY!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm

Ask them how much AIPAC influences their vote on Iraq? Is their support for Israel more than their duty to the Americans living in their states?


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)


President Bush is funding Al Qaeda in Lebanon with funds from Iraq! Treason! Here is the proof Read it!
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/070305fa_fact_hersh


CONTACT your ELECTED OFFICIAL
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers
[e-mail]

[e-mail]
Republican Party email

[e-mail]
Democratic Party email

[feelfree1]

Until now, I was not aware that 'Superpatr898/Lieberman000' was an Israeli. Makes sense though.

This would explain why he/she is so anxious to squander more American blood and treasure on these self-defeating and criminal fool's errands in the Middle East.

[joanpz]

Question what Today's news would be if "IQ"43, GW Bush, had not made his "AXIS OF EVIL" speech - am sure that Iran would not feel threatened - also just why does GW Bush have AIRCRAFT CARRIERS IN THE PERSIAN GULF & ALSO TONKIN, CHINA - seems as if "IQ"43 is SPOILING FOR ANOTHER FIGHT - loses nothing since GW vacations in US or visits GREEN ZONE IN IRAQ - Heaven help the U.S. - UK & Tony Blair should SETTLE BRITISH PROBLEMS, not U.S.

[feelfree1]

This story, and accompanying photos, are very appropriate for today (April 1).

Good one, CBS!

[feelfree1]

joanpz,

Good questions.

[itraveler-2009]

We have embasy staff in Iran after all the *** we went through years ago!!!

Talk about not learning your lesson the first time.... Do predictable.

I guess we should now be looking for some heilocopters that can't fly in sand storms now...

[candojj1]

I know this will get buried in those that constantly use this board to name call and never read anything relevant, or hardly ever do.

But, to those who do, it seems that Iran sees itself as a world empire - just as the Dutch and Spain and England, you know from 500 years ago or more.

Now even though Iran practices capitalism like the rest of the world, they still feel they can rule the world through this moolah vision of %u201Cworld-empire.%u201D It's like out of a George Lucas type movie.

We all know the problems with capitalism are that they throw the poor and the weak into the white trash bucket and flush them. And that all men aren't create equally. And if that's the complaint of the moolah, then he's got the same gripe as almost every other citizen of the capitalistic world.

Yet going back to the extreme of world empire just isn't going to happen. We have a trend going in the Europe of 13 or so countries that might lead us into a type of democracy where social justice counts above all else. Perhaps it's time the U.S and the U.K.., yesterday's hegemon, listen's a bit before they shoot shoot their other foot off.

The rest of Europe who are at peace with their neighbors and the rest of the world and care for their citizens above their profit margins have something to say to Nush and Blair %u2013 just listen!

[realpatriot1]

jscribe58,

If Iran attacks us again it won't be with weapons from Hollywood. It was Reagan/Bush/North & Company who armed them to the teeth.

[feelfree1]

Now the U.S. is apparently trying to provoke the Iranians by air:

"U.S. planes violate Iran's airspace"

www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=4570&sectionid=3510101

[feelfree1]

Saber rattling from the bloodthirsty Israelis:

"US ready to strike Iran on Good Friday"

www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=2&cid=1173879220977&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[candojj1]

realpatriot...give us a break. Those weapons are so obsolete they are rotting in Sadr City and have been used to kill Iraqis during the Iran/Iraq war.

What has happened is this alliance between Putin and Iran and Latin America's Chavez. Bush made a mockery of Latin America by only supplying $1.5 billion to feed the poor. So Putin came in and traded with each Latin American country and bought their products in exchange for weapons. The OPEC countries and Chavez now have WMD, including Cuba and can destroy the U.S., if the U.S. takes action against Iran.

Iran is not a dumba*s*s nation waiting to be obliterated by some second rate hick president who has an I.Q of 43 and does what he is told by AIPAC and George KAGAN of AEI.

You may call yourself a patriot, but what about the common people that need a president to care about their needs and the needs of this country? What patriotism was there in squandering a trillion dollars on a fantasized war? Why didn't he get the Saudis to imprison the families of those that bombed us on 9/11 and seize their assets? Why are so many people dying? For what? For whom?

[freezulu]

Remember, our nuclear submarines can launch warheads at will which would completely "neutralize" Iran to say the least.
Hey Iranians, dance around and wave your arms like the crazy f~**s that you are, and please "don't bring a sword to a machine gun fight".

[vinncent-2009]

The whole thing's silly. Ordinary citizens don't cry out for the recall of ambassadors. They'd be burning McDonalds or something. Anyone who doesn't think it's choreographed is just being silly.


The entire situation is not one that would inflame the Iranian public. Their navy arrested the British sailors and is holding them. The natural sentiment for the public there is to be satisfied, or even proud. It's stagecraft by Ahmadinejad, nothing more.

[realpatriot1]

Superpatr898/885/Lieberman000 pretends to be a Conservative American attacking the patriotism of other Americans. A closer review of his telling comments seem to indicate, as feelfree has stated, an Israeli parading as an American.

There's the praise for the Likud Party couples with attacks on Labour & Kadima and others. Most Americans who support Israel don't differentiate between the political parties.

Also, the comment about giving up land to Native Americans seems to be a reaction to international criticism of Israeli settlers taking land from arabs in violation of aggreements signed by Israel. He seems to be more angry about criticism of Israeli policy than criticism of American policy.

Superpatriot, opposing policies of the Likud Party of Israel doesn't make an American a traitor. Those who owe allegiance to a foreign
government and support its policies against the will of the American people shouldn't be questioning the patriotism of Americans.

[klingon69]

Iran started it in 1979, when they(students, yeah right) attacked our embassy and took our people hostage.

[feelfree1]

Klingon69,

You are obviously orbitting Youranus!

[klingon69]

Joanpz;
The United States Navy has ALWAYS had military craft in that area and in the Mediteranean Sea. It is part of the "MED CRUISE".

[realpatriot1]

bbbbbfan,

As I recall the weapons traded to Iran were shoulder-fired missles which may or may not be obsolete but you're probably right that they were long gone. I was reacting sarcastically to a ridiculous statement about phantom Iranian supporters in Hollywood but ok..touche.

The rest of your post was good too.

[klingon69]

feelfree;
You have just shown your lack of maturity...thank you. So if we are going to trade insults instead of intelligent conversation, then so be it.

[candojj1]

It's not stage crafted, it's not provoking, it's what it is. The Grand Ayatolah is ready to blow the U.S. off the map lame-brain. You think too little of your enemy. You think that world-empires only existed in Star-Wars or before 1700. Well they exist in reality in the arms caches in the Latin-American and Cuban countries as supplied by Iran and Russia just waiting for this provocation to set off a retaliatory strike. You won't be laughing when the nucuular submarine or WMD hits the U.S. soil from either coast. You won't be laughing when mustard gas hits school children. So be quite and humble yourself to your enemy. This enemy, Russia and Iran have a huge cash flow and when you add the cash of Hugo Chavez and probably some thievery of the worst kind - you are looking at an enemy that can obliterate any part of the globe as it sees fit.

So the moment Bush gives the order to strike Iran and wipe out its nucuular stations that when we get wiped off the face of the Earth. You may laugh, but I'm not. So far the hawks at AEI, the President's think tank, and AIPAC have dead fish floating at the top.

[feelfree1]

Klingon69,

Re: "feelfree;

"You have just shown your lack of maturity...thank you."

Don't mention it.

[fascistusa]

Here comes the STATE PROPAGANDA to get America into IRAN.

THERE IS AN INFORMATION WAR GOING ON IN AMERICA.

INFORMATION. WHO DO YOU TRUST?? WHO CAN YOU BELIEVE.

People are PAID to post in these Message Boards.

IRAN IS NOT THREAT TO AMERICA. THE REAL THREAT IS OUR GOVERNMENT.

[elgraz]

fascistusa,
Love the USA or leave it. I'll bet anything that you are a paid agitator and not even a US citizen. I can smell you a mile away and you stink. You should use a deoderant but as we all know Moslems don't use them. That's why they stink.

[crater7]

UNWANTED HELP, OR FUEL FOR THE FIRE?
BUSH'S, Cowboy statements does nothing to help the Brit's. Maybe thats why he's stoking the coals? Terry Waite, says he hopes to travel to Iran as part of a humanitarion mission to help free the Brits. WOW, GUESS HE FORGOT ABOUT LEBANON, these guys would love to offer him an extended stay at the expense of Iran. Maybe, Bush, could go with Waite, as a humanitarion good deed? Good luck to both.

[zootallures2]

You should use a deoderant but as we all know Moslems don't use them. That's why they stink.

The Muslims invented deoderant and toothpaste and tooth brushes.