Iran Held Some British Troops In Solitary

Revelation Comes As Britain Welcomes 15 Sailors And Marines Back Home

(CBS/AP)  Blair reiterated London's position that no deal had been cut for the captives' release. Speculation on such a deal followed reports by Iranian state media that an Iranian envoy would be allowed to meet five Iranians detained by U.S. forces in northern Iraq. A U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad said American authorities were considering the request, although an international Red Cross team, including one Iranian, had visited the prisoners.

Another Iranian diplomat, separately seized two months ago by uniformed gunmen in Iraq, was released and returned Tuesday to Tehran. Iran accused the Americans of abducting him, a charge the U.S. denied.

Iran denied a connection between the moves in Iraq and the sailors' and marines' release.

Before his announcement at a news conference, Ahmadinejad gave a medal of honor to the commander of the Iranian coast guards who captured the Britons, and admonished London for sending a mother, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, on such a dangerous mission in the Persian Gulf.

He said the British government was "not brave enough" to admit the crew had been in Iranian waters when it was captured.

Ahmadinejad then declared that even though Iran had the right to put the Britons on trial, he had pardoned them to mark the March 30 birthday of the Prophet Muhammad and the coming Easter holiday.

"This pardon is a gift to the British people," he said.

After the news conference, Iranian television showed a beaming Ahmadinejad on the steps of the presidential palace shaking hands with the Britons — some towering over him. The men were decked out in business suits, and Turney wore an Islamic head scarf.

"Your people have been really kind to us, and we appreciate it very much," one of the British men told Ahmadinejad in English. Another male service member said: "We are grateful for your forgiveness."

Ahmadinejad responded in Farsi, "You are welcome."

Three members of the crew were later interviewed on Iranian state-run TV, apologizing for the alleged incursion into Iran's waters and again thanking Ahmadinejad for their release.

"I can understand why you're insulted by the intrusion into the waters," said Lt. Felix Carman, shown seated on a couch.

"Thank you for letting us go and we apologize for our actions, but many thanks for having it in your hearts to let us go free," Turney said.

Before leaving Iran, they received gifts given to them on Ahmadinejad's behalf including handicrafts, a vase and special Persian candy, Iran's state-run news agency, IRNA, reported.

The British crew was seized March 23 as it searched for smugglers. Iran broadcast footage of Turney and some other crew members "confessing" they had entered Iranian waters. An infuriated Britain froze most bilateral contacts, prompting Tehran to roll back on a pledge to free Turney.

During Ahmadinejad's news conference, he said Britain had sent a letter to the Iranian Foreign Ministry pledging that entering Iranian waters "will not happen again." Britain's Foreign Office would not give details about the letter but said its position was clear that the detained crew had been in Iraqi waters.

Syria, Iran's close ally, said it played a role in winning the release.

[thelistener-2009]

The question is how the British government would behave with somebody entering their territories?
Did they expect Iranian to behave them like guests,by the way I do not believe what the said today which was read form a prepared pieces of paper.

[feelfree1]

radiob,

Re: "Feelfree1 Here is the link to the story about the US backing Iranian terrorist in Pakistan which you posted on yesterday."

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article1466948.ece

Thank you.

[klingon69]

tuckerndfw;
Jesus does love ignorant liars. Since the sin we commit was in ignorance(unknowing) Jesus and God can look above that. However, if we sin in full knowledge, that angers God.
'Nuff said, I will not sit asnd debate with you here.

[klingon69]

Ok, seven pissants;
I see you slimed your troll a$$ back onto the boards. You want to work over a "dixie-creep", here I am.
I live in Texarkana, Tx. Just ask for Big Mike!!!
I haven't got to beat the *** outta some Yankee liberal in a few weeks.

[tuckerndfw]

Tuckerndfw - Only in the left-wing crazy world do people like you say the Iranian regime is better than the US or British governments . . . forced Vietnamese-style "confessions" out of them.

Posted by fredgrad2000 at 09:47 AM : Apr 06, 2007

George Bush and Tony Blair are not the "government."

Ahmadinejab may be as bad as they, but he cannot possibly be any worse.

The Bush administration routinely tortures people until they confess so your comment about forced confessions is ludicrous on the face of it.

The "Iraqi government" is "George Bush's government." The Iraqi people clearly do not support George Bush's government.

But, then again, the American people do not support George Bush's governments (in the US or Iraq), so why would we expect the Iraqis to do so?

And, nothing you stated alters the fact that under the "Bush doctrine," Iran and any other nation is entitled to murder, torture, kidnap or do whatever they want to anyone they choose with impunity.

Ahmadinejab has as much legal authority to declare others to be "terrorists", "terrorist supporters" or "enemy combatants" as George Bush or Tony Blair. And, to inflict whatever punishment he so chooses after doing so.

That is what George Bush and Tony Blair claim (with which I strongly disagree) but it is not logically possible to support Bush or Blair and oppose the "Bush doctrine."

George Bush is the worst president in US history and Ahmadinejab played him (and Blair) for the fool he is.

[klingon69]

clestes;
Yes you can make a nuclear bomb in a basement, some college kids did it in the late 60s early 70s, from information gotten from books at a public library.

[fredgrad2000]

Tuckerndfw - Only in the left-wing crazy world do people like you say the Iranian regime is better than the US or British governments...Iran seized British marines who were operating in Iraqi waters at the request of the Iraqi government and the UN, and then forced Vietnamese-style "confessions" out of them.

Anyone in the "know" knows that the IRGC and Ahmadinejad hard-liners are in an internal battle with "moderates" (I use the term loosely), and are losing (see the recent "elections") due to the effect the recent sanctions are having (inflation is getting bad due to economic downturn there)...this whole scenario was done to scare up oil prices to help boost government revenues and help shore up the radical base; take pressure off the IRGC/Ahmadinejad crowd from the nuclear issue, and to try to affect British public opinion since we know the real Iranian long-term strategic goal is hegemony in the Middle East, which requires us and Britain out for good...

[radiob-2009]

Feelfree1 Here is the link to the story about the US backing Iranian terrorist in Pakistan which you posted on yesterday.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article1466948.ece

[cjhr43]

RandalDS
If you choose to be an aethiest then its your choice. No one is twisting your arm. I do feel sorry for you though and will pray that you wake up before you die ... but stay that way... I dont care...

[sam101200]

Ya, drink champaign and be happy happy. They also look healthy healthy and don't look the least bit abused. It had better come out that they were physically or mentally tortured (sleep depravation, food depravation, etc.), otherwise the ones who made the video tapes and wrote letters need to be court marshalled and jailed. Don't join the military if you can't take it, it is an act of treason to make promotional video tapes for your enemy.

[tuckerndfw]

According to the "Bush doctrine," no nation is accountable under any known laws or rules. If the "Bush doctrine" is valid for the US & UK, it is equally applicable to Iran.

Not only was Iran entitled to hold them indefinitely in solitary under the "Bush doctrine," Iran had no obligation to acknowledge holding them.

And, if Iran had chosen to classify them as "enemy combatants" under the "Bush doctrine," would have been entitled to summarily execute them without trial.

Fortunately, Iran chose a more civilized path than that followed by Bush and Blair.

[randalds]

Goodbye rick. I too have tried in the past to have a rational discussion with you, but you inist on otherwise. this is the last time I'll be responding to you, but hey, Sic biscuitus disintegratum.

[j_flood]

When I first saw this comment idea on the website I thought "what a clever idea" - now I think they should shut it down. Two or three people can now hijack the site with obtuse discussions. Too bad. Bye...

[tuckerndfw]

He drives people away with his attitude.

Posted by RandalDS at 03:11 AM : Apr 06, 2007

That's what trolls do.

I find it amazing that CBS allows people like Rick to vandalize their website.

Not only does he drive people away from religion, he drives people away from this website.

Rick is little different than an obnoxious kid having a tantrum at the grocery store. He is more interested in gaining attention than anything else.

And, in the process, drives other people away.

But, that's what trolls do. And, then, after driving everyone away, they move on and vandalize someone else's message board.

And, JAY ZUSS loves ignorant liars and vandals (according to Rick).

[tuckerndfw]

Rick,

I wouldn't waste my time reading your irrelevant drivel. Your (alleged) "love for JAY ZUSS" is totally irrelevant to the headline story. As are your dozens (hundreds?) of comments that are repeats of your previous comments about "Christian haters" or "Jesus haters."

Nor would I expect anyone else to do so.

Mission accomplished, troll.

You vandalized another message board beyond all recognition.

[randalds]

My comments are not intended for your benefit, they are intended for the benefit of others who may be reading these words.

You obviously thrive on your ignorance, lies and vandalizing message boards, i.e., "trolling."
Posted by tuckerndfw at 03:03 AM : Apr 06, 2007

True word. Even if there actually was someone who happened by this blog and felt like they might want to look into religion all they would have to do is to read a few of ricky's posts and that'd turn them away. Holier then thou and intolereatent of anyone else. Who would want to be part of that? He drives people away with his attitude.

[randalds]

Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

I'm not interested in your dopey religious cult.

[tuckerndfw]

Rick,

I find little entertainment value or sense of satisfaction feeding a troll (you).

And, by your latest comments, you once again demonstrate you are a liar. At one time, I did attempt to debate with you. But, your form of debate is to hide behind JAY ZUSS and claim anyone who disagrees with you "hates Jesus" or "hates Christians" and then disappear.

After which, you reappear and repeat the same lies that had been refuted as if they had not been refuted.

It is a good thing for you, but unfortunate for everyone else who attempts to use these boards as intended, that your love for JAY ZUSS exempts you from the rules.

The only reason that I am having this discussion with you is that it is obvious you have vandalized this board beyond all recognition as it relates to the headline story.

Which is your typical modus operandi and the same M.O. used by all trolls.

I really don't care what you think or have to say, you are an ignorant liar and attempting to have a debate or discussion about anything with you is a waste of time.

My comments are not intended for your benefit, they are intended for the benefit of others who may be reading these words.

You obviously thrive on your ignorance, lies and vandalizing message boards, i.e., "trolling."

[randalds]

Posted by singinrick at 02:43 AM : Apr 06, 2007

Persona non grata

Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione

[tuckerndfw]

Rick,

I enjoy a good debate or discussion.

But I have yet to read anything you have posted worthy of debate or discussion.

You routinely lie about Muslims, routinely demonstrate your ignorance of history, the US Constitution, the US government generally, and most anything else on which you attempt to comment.

Having corrected your lies on numerous occasions, with citations, only to find you post the exact same lies the next day, it is pointless discussing anything with you.

You are a classic troll.

You clutter up message boards with lies and ignorant comments that serve no useful purpose.

And, if you seriously believe you are advancing the cause of Christianity (the "Great Commission"), you are not only an ignorant liar, you are a delusional ignorant liar.