Okay, let's discuss how this is an actual violation of the oft cited Geneva Convention.
The government's attempts to resolve a deepening diplomatic row with Iran over the capture of British sailors and marines were poised on a knife edge last night after a day in which two of the men appeared in blindfolds on Iranian television and apologised for entering the country's territorial waters. (emphasis mine)
Okay. It is against the Geneva Convention to do this. The State, in this situation the Government of Iran, has placed two of these men on display in a State Sanctioned program for the purpose of propoganda.
Earlier, pictures on Iran's main state-run channel, showed the men sitting silently on chairs and a sofa. Three of them were in British military uniform; five others wore military trousers and civilian T-shirts.
By placing these men in civilian T-shirts, they open the possibility for a trial of these men as spies or infiltrators. By changing their mode of dress, they remove them from the pervue of the military and all of the protections afforded them by the Geneva Convention.
Now let's see what the real reason for this act of aggression is.
While Tehran welcomed the end of Saddam Hussein's regime, it is deeply worried about the continuing presence of US troops in Iraq. It is also embroiled in a dispute with the US, the EU, and the UN over its nuclear programme
Ah. They are deeply worried scared spitless that the continued presence of the coalition in Iraq will bring something resembling a representative republic to the region, right next door for that matter, and give their own population even more reason to rebel and revolt against the Mullahs and their pet regime.
They are also concerned freaking out that their plans for regional nuclear domination could be squashed by the proximity of coalition troops.
The question now is whether or not Tony Blair will be a Reagan or a Carter.
Posted by Mamamontezz at June 22, 2004 09:33 PMThe British Royal Navy is by far one of the greatest Navy's in all the world, second only to ours of course. Like the US, the UK is typically the only other country in the world with stones enough to do what is right even if there is a price to pay. I have served with the RAF (Royal Air Force) on several occasions and fear for the outcome of these tensions in the Middle East. Now Iran wants to dance? I say to the Iranians what GW said after 9/11 either you are with us (and our allies) or you are against us. If Iran needs there ass cracked all they have to do is ask.
SlagleRock Out
Posted by: SlagleRock at June 22, 2004 11:21 PMRobert, you're spot on. If Margaret Thatcher were at the helm I believe she would say , release the sailors and their ships or suffer the consequences like she did in the Malvina's Islands off Argentina. If Tony has any nads he'll do the same thing, no idle threats either, take Tehran off the map. The Iranians are either extremely stupid or they're falsely emboldened by the current events in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, in either case it's no a logistical problem to lay waste to Iran, pull no punches and nuke the S.O.B's, especially their nuke facilities. I'd be willing to bet the problem would cease once we get serious about their annihilation and demonstrate that willingness. As for the Geneva convention I've changed my mind and made an exception for these ragheaded bastards, they do not deserve protection after what they have done, besides they are not a recognised militia, furthermore no more prisoners either.
Posted by: Jack at June 23, 2004 12:16 AM