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March 24, 2007
UK Sailors Captured At Gunpoint
UK sailors captured at gunpoint BBC news
Fifteen British navy personnel have been captured at gunpoint by Iranian forces, the Ministry of Defence says.
The men were seized at 1030 local time when they boarded a boat in the Gulf, off the coast of Iraq, which they suspected was smuggling cars.
The Royal Navy said the group was on a routine patrol in Iraqi waters and were understood to be unharmed.
But Iranian state television quoted the Iran foreign ministry as saying they had illegally entered Iranian waters.
The Associated Press news agency is quoting US Navy official, Commander Kevin Aandahl, as saying that Iran's Revolutionary Guard were responsible.
Mr Aandahl is also reported as saying the naval force had told them in a radio message that the British were not harmed.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has demanded the immediate and safe return of the HMS Cornwall servicemen.
She added that she had called for a "full explanation" from Iran and had left them in no doubt that she wanted the group and their equipment back immediately.
The task force's commander, Commodore Nick Lambert, said he was hoping there had been a "simple mistake" over territorial waters.
"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that they [British personnel] were in Iraqi territorial waters. Equally, the Iranians may claim they were in Iranian territorial waters.
The incident comes at a time of renewed tensions with Iran over its nuclear programme and follows claims that most of the violence against UK forces in Basra is being engineered by Iranian elements.
British army Colonel Justin Maciejewski, who is based in Iraq, said Iran was providing "sophisticated weaponry" to insurgents and "Iranian agents" were paying local men to attack British troops.
Wild Thing's comment.......
it were up to me I'd simply say, "At the end of two hours one of two things will have happened. Either the hostages will be returned, or you will have no Navy."
Posted by Wild Thing at March 24, 2007 12:55 AM
Comments
Reminiscent of the Barbary Pirates. History has already shown the West the proper response to such thuggery. But is the West now gutsy enough to give that proper response?
Posted by: Always On Watch at March 24, 2007 09:18 AM
I agree, AOW. There is only one proper response to the actions of a thug state. Violence. It's what they deserve, it's what they understand, and it's the only deterrent.
Posted by: Rhod at March 24, 2007 01:25 PM
I remember what Thatcher did in the Falklands, the only problem is with the UK verbally responding, this should have been handled immediately with a decisive strike in downtown Tehran and continued until a total release of the sailors is met and a humble apology has been issued from the Muzzies. Instead they'll appeal to the Useless Nations and this direct act of war will get 'negotiated' by the despots. Maybe if Tony dressed in Maggies underwear he'd get his manhood back. Glaze that piece of desert!!!
Posted by: Jack at March 24, 2007 01:56 PM
I'm so disgusted with the PC version of war.
Apparently we can't "just all get along" ~ and it's way past time for us to stand up and say no more.
Answer and Code Pink and their minions can go to hell. It's not their kids getting blown up and taken hostage by evil people (who have never heard the song, Kumbayah) but it's because of the likes of them that other parents' soldier kids are.
Posted by: yankeemom at March 24, 2007 02:30 PM
I guess they're trying to provoke a war.
Posted by: Lynn at March 24, 2007 02:42 PM
The War of 1812 for the conservatives that attended a quality public school or a private school? Islamomaniac Madman Mahmoud Madinthehead
cancelled his UN visit moments before the 15 Brits were seized. An instant replay of 2004 and 1979, where he and his Islamomaniacs seized 63 US Embassy hostages in Tehran for 444 days - only to be released when President Ronald Wilson Reagan was taking his oath on January 20, 1981! Go to THE SUN - Brit sister paper of the NY Post - to follow this deal: www.thesun.co.uk and ignore the Page 3 Girls? Blair met last night with COBRA and MI6.... + IRAN + ....... !!! - 007
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at March 24, 2007 07:55 PM
Always On Watch, I agree. If the West does not do the proper response it will lead to more and more of this kind of thing and or worse.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2007 12:15 AM
Jack, yes, this is not the time to show any weakness, not even a little.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2007 12:16 AM
Yankeemom, so true!!
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2007 12:19 AM
Lynn, yes, what they have done is an act of war, I hope and pray the sailors lives will be saved.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2007 12:22 AM
Darth, thank you. I agree I sure do remember the US Embassy hostages and the 444 days. Thank God for Reagan too.
That is so great that Blair has met with the ones you mentioned. Thanks for the information.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2007 12:27 AM
And to think the Dummycraps want to pull our troops out? Not with this wackjob in charge over there.
Too many things can go wrong.
Too bad that Bush will have to veto the spending bill, too--too much BS in it, so our soldiers will get nothing and by the time we can get them anything, it will be a whole nother term for someone else. Let's hope it's Fred Thompson!
Posted by: Lynn at March 25, 2007 10:34 AM
Yes I hope so Lynn.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 25, 2007 12:44 PM
