Posted by
Sapper on Thursday, March 29, 2007 8:47:48 PM
The longer the hostage-taking (let's call it what it really is) in Iran of the British military personnel goes on, the more it comes to resemble the
1979 hostage situation -- funny how the same players are involved.
(Recognize any current Iranian presidents in this photo?)
The
AP reports:
"TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran on Thursday rolled back on a pledge to release a female British sailor, and a top official said the 15 captives may be put on trial.
Iran's foreign minister had said Tehran would soon free Faye Turney, the only woman among the sailors and marines seized last week while searching a merchant vessel in what Iran says were its territorial waters near Iraq.
But Gen. Ali Reza Afshar, Iran's military chief, said that because of the "wrong behavior" by the British government, "the release of a female British soldier has been suspended," the semiofficial Iranian news agency Mehr reported.
Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani also told state television that British leaders "have miscalculated this issue" and if they follow through with threats, the case "may face a legal path"—presumably putting the Britons on trial."
(I wonder if this Iranian "protester" can write that well in English or if he got some official "help".)
They have reneged on their promise to free the female sailor and are threatening again to put the sailors and marines on trial for espionage. Meanwhile the UN Security Council is expressing "grave concern". (And if Iran is not careful, they may escalate matters and express "very grave concern".)
(Others blogging on Iran: The Jawa Report, Jihad Watch, Ace of Spades, and Redstate)
Update: The Captain's Quarters, "Blair not in a haggling mood".