Brit sailors held at gunpoint by Iranians!
darkcrow
Posts: 1,102
surprised this has not been posted
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6484279.stm
UK sailors captured at gunpoint
Commodore reacts
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 men who were on a routine patrol in Iraqi waters, were understood to be unharmed.
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 frigate'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.
"We may well find that this is a simple misunderstanding at the tactical level."
Helicopters had reported seeing two British boats being moved along the Shatt al-Arab waterway to Iranian bases and there had been no evidence of fighting, he added.
HMS Cornwall's area of operations
He said that despite scant communication, the 15 people were understood to be safe and had reacted in an "extremely professional way, in line with the rules of engagement".
HMS CORNWALL FACTS
Multi-national force flagship in the northern Gulf
Type 22 frigate
Crew: 250 (Max 301)
Length: 148.1m / 485.9ft
Speed: 30 knots
Source: Royal Navy
Profile of HMS Cornwall
Ex-detainee 'concerned'
Mrs Beckett said: "We understand that they were in two boats that were operating in Iraqi waters in accordance with the Security Council Resolution 1723 in support of the government of Iraq to stop smuggling."
On Friday afternoon, the Iranian ambassador in London, Rasoul Movahedian, met permanent secretary, Sir Peter Ricketts, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The foreign secretary said the meeting had been "brisk but polite" and said the British ambassador in Iran had also been speaking to officials in Tehran.
There has been no immediate response so far from Iran, where many ministries and official buildings were closed for a public holiday.
Servicemen would have been in boats similar to those pictured
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague and Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, have both backed the call for the group's immediate and safe return.
Commodore Kevin Aandahl, of the US Navy Fifth Fleet based in the same region, backed the Royal Navy's claims that their boats had been in Iraqi waters.
He added that the Royal Navy personnel should be given credit for a "very cool" response and not escalating the situation.
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.
FAMILY INFORMATION LINE
0845 7800 900
Timeline: UK-Iran relations
Iranian officials have in the past denied such claims.
In 2004, Iran detained eight British servicemen for three days after they allegedly strayed over the maritime border.
The UK claimed the men were "forcibly escorted" into Iranian territorial waters.
The men were paraded blindfolded and made to apologise on Iranian TV before their release was agreed.
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said the difference this time is that the present Iranian government under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was much more hardline.
"The political climate is worse with Britain among those confronting Iran over its controversial nuclear programme," he added.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6484279.stm
UK sailors captured at gunpoint
Commodore reacts
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 men who were on a routine patrol in Iraqi waters, were understood to be unharmed.
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 frigate'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.
"We may well find that this is a simple misunderstanding at the tactical level."
Helicopters had reported seeing two British boats being moved along the Shatt al-Arab waterway to Iranian bases and there had been no evidence of fighting, he added.
HMS Cornwall's area of operations
He said that despite scant communication, the 15 people were understood to be safe and had reacted in an "extremely professional way, in line with the rules of engagement".
HMS CORNWALL FACTS
Multi-national force flagship in the northern Gulf
Type 22 frigate
Crew: 250 (Max 301)
Length: 148.1m / 485.9ft
Speed: 30 knots
Source: Royal Navy
Profile of HMS Cornwall
Ex-detainee 'concerned'
Mrs Beckett said: "We understand that they were in two boats that were operating in Iraqi waters in accordance with the Security Council Resolution 1723 in support of the government of Iraq to stop smuggling."
On Friday afternoon, the Iranian ambassador in London, Rasoul Movahedian, met permanent secretary, Sir Peter Ricketts, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The foreign secretary said the meeting had been "brisk but polite" and said the British ambassador in Iran had also been speaking to officials in Tehran.
There has been no immediate response so far from Iran, where many ministries and official buildings were closed for a public holiday.
Servicemen would have been in boats similar to those pictured
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague and Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, have both backed the call for the group's immediate and safe return.
Commodore Kevin Aandahl, of the US Navy Fifth Fleet based in the same region, backed the Royal Navy's claims that their boats had been in Iraqi waters.
He added that the Royal Navy personnel should be given credit for a "very cool" response and not escalating the situation.
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.
FAMILY INFORMATION LINE
0845 7800 900
Timeline: UK-Iran relations
Iranian officials have in the past denied such claims.
In 2004, Iran detained eight British servicemen for three days after they allegedly strayed over the maritime border.
The UK claimed the men were "forcibly escorted" into Iranian territorial waters.
The men were paraded blindfolded and made to apologise on Iranian TV before their release was agreed.
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said the difference this time is that the present Iranian government under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was much more hardline.
"The political climate is worse with Britain among those confronting Iran over its controversial nuclear programme," he added.
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Israeli trade ships still today remain in Lebanese waters.
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abu???
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Yes? You want my opinion.
These things are challanging, but they are opportunities. We would all be better off if Iran and the United States worked together. This is another great opportunity. We should always publically assume the best - show respect to all countries and all humans. Welcome dialog.
Sadly, our country is more likely to rub salt in it. They are more eager to prove that the good people of the world that don't think the same - are ignorant savages - thus not only justifying the tragedy they brought to Iraq.. but building support for more conflict and war.
Every event we learn first come from "news" reporters. these reporters pressured by political forces to slant the news this way or that..
How should I react?
Until we get our house in order - we can should not attempt to judge. If we had parents, we wouldn't be allowed out of the house. Its downright embarassing.
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
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