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From The Sunday Times
April 8, 2007
Iran laughs at Easter 'gift' of humiliation
The Iranian hostage crisis ended on Thursday with the 15 sailors and marines returned unharmed as a ‘gift’ to Britain. Sarah Baxter, Michael Smith and David Cracknell on how Iran played our government and military for fools
In his crisply ironed uniform, Simon Massey described how he thought he was going to die. His mother Carol and sister Hannah listened with quiet pride as he recalled his ordeal: “It was going through my head I was never going to see my family again.”
After he was seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Massey was blindfolded and flown to Tehran with his hands tied behind his back with plastic cable. The most terrifying moment came when he was lined up against the wall with his crewmates and “everybody’s imagination started going”.
One of the crew members vomited. Unable to see through their blindfolds, the other British captives feared his throat was being cut. Behind them, they heard weapons being cocked. “It was just crazy, we were sat there with our heads up against the wall, still blindfolded and handcuffed, and I just thought, that was it, that was going to be it for the 15 of us.”
Massey and his crewmates continued to suffer during their imprison-ment. They spent days in isolation in small stone cells, 8ft by 6ft, and were interrogated at night. Massey, 22, was held in solitary confinement for eight days, although he managed to communicate with a fellow seaman by tapping with his knuckles in Morse code.
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“Little things like that got us through,” he said, but he admitted that on day nine he broke down before recovering his composure.
As we now know, the smug boast of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, that the captured sailors and marines were shown the virtues of “Islamic hospitality” during their 13 days in captivity was a sinister mockery of the truth.
Faye Turney, the only woman on board, was kept apart from the rest of the crew and was the first to be singled out for propaganda purposes. She was told that all the others had been freed except her, before she was paraded in a hijab and began apologising for Britain’s alleged misbehaviour. The other sailors and marines were told they had to confess to trespassing in Iranian waters in the Shatt al-Arab or face seven years in jail.
The emotional and psychological intimidation was tough, but certainly not the worst in the history of warfare — nor dissimilar to the experience of some Iraqi and Afghan prisoners of coalition forces in the Middle East. And as some commentators noted, their treatment was positively mild compared with those abused by US forces in Abu Ghraib two years ago.
Asked whether he and his comrades had undergone a mock execution, Massey replied: “It’s a fine line to draw.”
Nothing has proved to be simple in this sorry tale of bungling and misadventure, in which the Iranians played the British government and military for fools.
Whether Ahmadinejad, circus master of the bizarre hostage spectacle, has won the lasting propaganda victory he seemed so confident of last week, is another matter.
The deaths of four servicemen, including two women, in Basra on Thursday following the explosion of a massive bomb under their vehicle, underscored the brutal nature of the conflict in which Britain is engaged and refocused attention on Iran’s support for terrorism.
Despite the occasionally farcical nature of the crisis, this was no Navy Lark. The image of British servicemen thanking Ahmadinejad for his gracious treatment and asking for forgiveness for “apparently” trespassing will not be easy to erase, particularly in the Middle East. As one Iranian commentator said mockingly: “Britannia really doesn’t rule the waves any more.”
The British showed themselves to be “Marmite-eating surrender monkeys”, said Michael Rubin, the American neoconservative and an Iran analyst. Others observed that the flowery “goody bags of dishonour” containing Persian sweets, pistachio nuts, CDs and vases, with which the servicemen returned, seemed designed to emphasise their wimpishness.
The Ministry of Defence appeared happy enough with the way the 15 conducted themselves. Whitehall sources pointed out that they were not prisoners of war and were thus not expected simply to supply their “name, rank, serial number and date of birth” — the “big four” mythologised in war films.
Instead they followed rules for “conduct in capture” under which a British military source stated: “It is fine to tell your captors roughly what they want to hear — as long as you don’t give away anything classified, put anyone’s life in danger or breach operational security.”
John Nichol, the former RAF navigator who was badly beaten by the Iraqis after being shot down during the 1991 Gulf war, said the “big four” went out of the window after he, John Peters, his pilot, and a number of SAS men were captured and tortured. “Until you have been there, you have absolutely no idea,” Nichol said. “Everyone in these circumstances fights a very personal battle for their safety.”
It was only when the freed servicemen headed home from Iran on Thursday that they learnt that the world had been treated to photographs of them gaily eating and playing chess during their second week in captivity.
“I understand Faye’s been getting a lot of stick for smoking,” Massey said. “When we got back and found out this was all the footage people were seeing . . . it makes you angry.”
Yet the contrast between the picture of the seamen in Iran waving like a pack of wannabe reality TV stars upon learning of their release and the sober image of them back on the tarmac in Britain in uniform suggests that they — or at least the ministry — may have had an inkling that they had crossed the “fine line” between maintaining their dignity and securing their freedom.
INFURIATED by the disappearance of Ali Reza Asgari, a former commander of the elite Quds force in Lebanon, and by the Americans’ capture of five members of that unit in Arbil, northern Iraq, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards made sure the seizure of the British sailors and marines was a well planned affair.
Days before the crisis broke, The Sunday Times revealed that the Revolutionary Guards were boasting of their intention “to capture a nice bunch of blue-eyed blond-haired officers and feed them to our fighting cocks”.
In a similar incident in 2004, British seamen were taken to Tehran, blindfolded, paraded on television and subjected to mock executions. Despite this, the Royal Navy was dismally unprepared when eight fast boats belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards appeared to come out of nowhere and seized the 15.
HMS Cornwall, the mother ship, known as “the ice-cream frigate” because of its designation F99, was static in the water 11 miles away when the 15 were grabbed. A Lynx helicopter that was supposed to be watching over the servicemen had also moved out of position, allegedly because it did not have enough fuel. The sailors had only a few pistols between them.
The Iranians quickly overwhelmed the British seamen. “They rammed our boats and trained their heavy machineguns, RPGs and weapons on us,” said Captain Chris Air, the Royal Marine in charge, on his return last week. “It was at this point that we realised that had we resisted, there would have been a major fight . . . We made a conscious decision not to engage the Iranians and do what they asked.”
The ease of their capture led critics to scoff that the pride of the Royal Navy had surrendered first and apologised later. Stung by the jibes, one senior defence official said it was easy for armchair warriors to sound off, but the servicemen’s instructions “were not to start a war with Iran”.
Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, the first sea lord who heads the navy, said: “I would not agree at all that it was not our finest hour.” But he added: “We will look at the equipment, we will look at the procedures, we will look at the things that happened. We certainly wouldn’t want this to happen again.”
FOR Tony Blair, the hostage crisis was an unwelcome test of nerves and diplomacy. The prime minister feared the conflict could drag on for months, overshadowing his final months in office. It was particularly embarrassing that Britain appeared to have been singled out for retaliation over the Americans’ actions against Iran in Iraq. Had the nation sunk so low that it was now the weak link in the coalition’s armour?
Towards the end of the first week of the crisis, the UK government had sought to adopt a conciliatory tone towards the Iranians — to the annoyance of some MPs.
Margaret Beckett, the foreign secretary, went on Arabic television to express “regret” at the incident. It had been decided at an early meeting of Cobra, the emergency planning committee, that the government would not take an inflammatory approach, that ministers should give Iran the opportunity to back down without losing face.
In the first few days of the crisis, it was difficult to establish meaningful contact with Tehran because of the new year holiday in Iran. But last Saturday Whitehall received and responded to a diplomatic letter from the Iranians — seen as a possible olive branch.
The Foreign Office’s return “note verbale” was delivered to Tehran via the embassy in the Iranian capital. It was stamped with an official government seal and restated London’s demands for the return of the hostages and their equipment, but is understood to have promised that Iranian waters would be respected.
The Foreign Office did not get a reply from Tehran, but early last week there was a further encouraging sign from the Iranians.
Ministers were pleasantly surprised and relieved when Ali Larijani, Iran’s chief international negotiator, agreed to appear on Channel 4 News last Monday.
“We felt it was like the ‘official response’ to the letter we sent back to Tehran through channels last weekend,” said a senior Foreign Office source. “When Larijani refused to say that the hostages would be put on trial, we knew there was light at the end of the tunnel.”
The following morning, last Tuesday, Cobra met in the basement of the Cabinet Office. The meeting was chaired by Beckett and attended by Sir Nigel Sheinwald, Blair’s foreign policy adviser. The Larijani interview had raised hopes, but there was confusion over whether Iran would release Turney. Manouchehr Mottaki, Iran’s foreign minister, had promised to let her go, but Tehran was still publicly accusing the seamen of “trespassing” in its waters and parading them on television.
Sheinwald went on to speak directly to Larijani by telephone on Tuesday evening. “It was the first encouraging sign that the Iranians wanted to play ball,” said a senior government adviser.
The 53-year-old foreign policy adviser is an experienced diplomat noted for his deft touch. During the conversation with Larijani, Sheinwald restated the British government’s position that it wanted the seamen released immediately and that they had not strayed into Iranian waters. There was, insist government officials, no talk of any concessions, an apology or a deal.
“With his TV interview and the telephone call, Larijani was transmitting a willingness to see an end to the crisis,” said a Foreign Office official. “Sir Nigel restated our position and Larijani stated the Iranian view. It was about how we could resolve this crisis as quickly as possible.”
The next day Ahmadinejad held a rambling two-hour press conference at which he suddenly announced that the captives would be freed as an “Easter gift to the British people”. The sailors’ freedom was rapidly spun as a victory for diplomacy. “Silver lining is not the right word, but if there is anything to come out of this crisis, it is that we have opened new lines of communications with the Iranians,” said a senior government source.
In parts of Washington it was seen differently. John Bolton, former US ambassador to the United Nations, was appalled. “The Iranians learnt that if you poke people in the eye, they’re happy when you stop,” he said.
There is circumstantial evidence that a deal was struck, despite denials. “I hope we didn’t negotiate with them because if we did, it is a mistake,” said Bolton.
The first sign of a possible quid pro quo came when Jalal Sharafi, an Iranian diplomat and suspected member of the Quds force held in Iraq — purportedly by an insurgent group — was released last Tuesday. Some US sources assert that he was in the joint custody of the Iraqi government and Americans at the time.
According to one report, Shafari was released at the urging of the White House over the objections of some US military commanders.
The release of the sailors also followed news that the Americans had allowed members of the Red Cross, including an Iranian, to visit the five suspected members of the Iranian Quds force captured in Arbil.
Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, went on to say that US and Iraqi officials hoped to be able to give “some kind of Iranian access” to the five prisoners. He denied they would be released, but speculation persists that they may be freed before Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, heads to Baghdad this month for regional talks on Iraq’s future.
Deals of this kind are never put on paper, enabling officials on both sides to deny all tangible signs of their existence, but the evidence suggests that America played a role in securing the hostages’ freedom.
Michael Ledeen, a former US official who dealt with the Iranians during the Iran-contra affair, said: “It’s obvious there was a deal. It will only encourage the Iranians to believe that the West is weak.”
JOHN WILLIAMS, the former communications director at the Foreign Office, believes ministers are unlikely to be troubled by those who say Britain was humiliated, especially after the details of the servicemen’s treatment emerged.
“We got the result we wanted,” he said. “Ahmadinejad may have thought he got himself a PR triumph, but it was pretty hollow, wasn’t it? He’s been shown to the world to be a complete liar.”
Others disagree. Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester, said yesterday that Ahmadinejad had shown a better understanding of moral and spiritual values than Britain’s political leaders.
For Bolton, the Iranians received dangerous encouragement: “It was a low-cost experiment for them designed to see how tough a response they would get from Britain, Europe and, ultimately, the United States. The answer is ‘not much’. It will embolden them to press ahead on the nuclear weapons front.” WITH support for the war in Iraq ebbing away in America, the appetite for military action against Iran has also been receding. In its place, a new policy of “aggressive containment” — a phrase dating from the cold war with the Soviet Union — is taking shape.
The “pushback”, as White House officials call it, began this year with the arrest of Iranians in Iraq and the stationing of two air carrier strike forces in the Gulf (soon to be joined by a third). It is being coupled with an economic squeeze on Iran, although this is feebler than the Americans had hoped to achieve because of Europe’s reluctance to impose tough financial penalties on the regime.
In Dubai a diplomatic outpost has been set up to provide outreach to dissidents. While there is some dispute over how much aid — if any — America is giving to ethnic groups fomenting trouble inside Iran, rival nationalisms are another source of tension for the mullahs’ regime.
The White House is deliberately trying to keep the Iranians on their toes — terrified by the prospect of military action, yet uncertain whether America really means to mount an attack. The British hostage crisis was a byproduct of a game of brinkmanship, which could ultimately make war more likely.
For now, perhaps, a sense of relief is justified. But for how long? As Massey heads off for “a couple of days with my girlfriend”, the next crisis may already be brewing.
- Ali Ansari teaches Iranian history at St Andrews University and is the author of Confronting Iran
Name, rank, serial number ... and TV
A VICTORY for common sense or behaviour that heaped humiliation on Britain and its armed services?
As the 15 British sailors and marines released as an Easter “gift” by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flew home on Thursday clutching Iranian goody bags and clad in poorly tailored Iranian suits, the postmortem into their conduct began.
Under the Geneva conventions, captured service personnel need only give their name, rank, serial number and date of birth (“the big four”). However, today’s recruits are told to cooperate, short of revealing secrets, and present a human face if taken prisoner.
But “were they just too co-operative?” asked one newspaper across two pages. It’s a debate everyone had a view on. Here are the highlights:
— They did exactly as they should have done from start to finish and we are proud of them — Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, chief of the defence staff, Britain’s top military officer
— The international image of Britain as Churchillian bulldog has for ever been replaced by this bunch of hapless stooges grinning and waving for the cameras like [game show] contestants . . . I don’t blame the unfortunate human ingredients in this pawn cocktail. They were only obeying orders — which, ludicrously, amount to ‘surrender first and apologise later’ — Richard Littlejohn, newspaper columnist
— We did not cooperate too much. I would say the allegation is wholly incorrect . . . Let me be absolutely clear, from the outset it was very apparent that fighting back was simply not an option. Had we chosen to do so then many of us would not be standing here today — Royal Marine Captain Chris Air, one of the 15 held captive
— The British military has performed magnificently in Iraq. Even so, with the release of the sailors, we would like to learn the full story of why the hostages seemingly cooperated so readily with their captors. These weren’t civilians but sailors presumably trained to resist propaganda displays — The Wall Street Journal
— We thought we were going to the British embassy but we got taken to a detention centre, all 15 of us. We had a blindfold and plastic cuffs, hands behind our backs, heads against the wall. Basically there were weapons cocking. Someone, I’m not sure who, someone said, I quote, ‘Lads, lads, I think we’re going to get executed.’ After that comment, someone was sick and as far as I was concerned he had just had his throat cut — Royal Marine Joe Tindell, one of the 15 hostages sailors
— That’s the spirit — eating hearty curries, smoking, playing chess, wearing tracksuits and denouncing Great Britain to the entire world — hardly The Colditz Story is it? — A writer on the HolyMoly! website
— How can we criticise the actions of these servicemen and woman? None of us were there, God only knows what was going through their minds! Waiting for that moment when one of them is dragged out and treated like Ken Bigley, God rest his soul — it could have happened — A post on the Army Rumour Service, an unofficial UK military website
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Well at the end of the day when the fat lady sings .it could have been worse ...just think if there were a couple of A10s in the area...RIBS are seaborn ...Warriors are on land...and also have Brits onboard...
COLIN, PORTLAND,
As an ex-submariner spying on the Soviet union at Murmansk 1956 under the official secrets act if we talked we didn't get £100,000 we got the gaol, one guy got two year's.
These guy's get 13 day's and a demob suit and a goodies bag. Just as well they weren't in Guatanamo, a thrashing and orange overalls.
To think I was once proud to be a Bluejacket , seaperson!cigarette in mouth Bogart style here's looking at you kid as she banks the dough! what a Bow-Wow.
john wood-cowling, Corby, UK
So some people (mainly US) would rather we had told Ahmedinijad where to go, and effectively give up the 15 to the whims of the Iraninan regime than risk having the UKs reputation questioned. Perhaps worried that, by association, your reputation will be questioned also. Better to have 15 UK citizens(not American after all) locked up in a foreign jail than have a little egg on ones face? And the 15s behaviour? They might be in the forces, but their happiness on release is understandable and natural. It might also be a reflection of the civilised society they came from. They are not gung-ho “Sir! Yes sir!” killing machines we see so often in the US military. Grow up Americans, and learn to be a little more civilised. We know you are proud of your military (and the hideous amounts of money spent on it), but it wasn’t long ago that we were reading about US soldiers killing an entire Iraqi family in order to rape the remaining teenage daughter. I know how I want our military to behave.
steve, watford,
far too much 'britain bashing' on here! those Royal Navy personnel were 'stitched up' good and proper yes; they were left out on a limb with no aerial support, or heavy back-up. They played it cool, and getting killed or killing the Iranians would have achieved nothing (most likely the former). Any other line of reasoning is unreasonable. Thats exactly why Britain had an empire; a mixture of cool-headed rationality combined with the guts when necessary. We NEVER give up.
leeon henderson, Huddersfield, Britain
going on the limited intelligence that has been made public, if anyone in our Forces was at fault, the negligence would seem to be at the door of the senior offices who put the captured sailors and marines into such a vulnerable position.
Gervas Douglas, Andorra la Vella, Andorra
Were I not already resigned to the degradation of this country under New Labour, I would be astonished to see the smiling, happy faces of returning RN personnel, blind to their shame.
The humiliation of sailors & marines being seized without firing a shot or being helped in any way by their poorly-equipped, half-asleep warship must, of course, be laid at the door of successive Labour (and previous Conservative) governments which have systematically undermined the size, discipline, traditions, cohesion and motivation of our once proud and powerful Armed Forces - which would never, never have acted so.
One should, I suppose, simply pity those young men who had little chance of developing suitable qualities, having been bred in a country where a culture based on family life, well-run schools, traditional values, strict law & order and merit have been replaced by a chaotic, insanely egalitarian, politically correct , anti-British - to quote Nick Griffin - "multi-racial hell-hole".
L Stewart, Spalding, England
First i think the boat crews and marines were right not to fight, if they had fired they would have been wiped out and we'd probably be at war with them and barring in mind they prob now have nuclear capability is that wise?
I must say how great it is to see the american nation support us and how they offered to get the sailors and marines out put in oops sorry that was a dream.
Ever asked why the british were in that position? sure tony blair and previous govs in the uk have weakened the armed forces, the navy high comand didnt keep an eye on or equip the patrol properly but let us not forget if the ameran president hadnt gone to war we the british would not be there to be taken hostage by the iranians.
Before america brings us down remember the para's at the police station, the sas ops? the times our us comrades shot the british up? how well trained are they? they need speed to stay awake. i dont hate america but by god the us is blinkered. your not perfect. remember nam?
ac, edinburgh, uk
I don't blame the detainees for their conduct, not one damn bit. I'm thankful that they have made it home to their famiIies. I do find a LOT of fault with the mission planners. Only a "few pistols", between them? The helo had to leave to refuel?
gnorville, smithfield, america/virginia
Blindfolded, handcuffed, standing up against a wall they hear guns being cocked and the fear the worst. These were the true blue, supremely trained, bulldog British armed forces. And they sang like canaries.
Now compare that to waterboarding, sleep deprevation and other so called 'non torturous' situations that prisoners in Guantanamo Bay are experiencing. And America wants us to believe that anything said by the Guantanamo Bay prisoners in these conditions can be used as evidence.
We will say and do anything if we think it will save our skin.
Peter Anderson, Billericay, Essex
it's a sad tabloid day for Gt. Britain. The naval leadership that was responsible for having these marines in those waters without a cover go unpunished. The marines who lied before the camera in Iran are now supposed to be telling the truth in tabloid "headlines". ). The marines who paraded happily eating and playing games before the camera's while in Iran go unpunished, and are rewarded with reality show contracts. If their story about having hands tied behind their backs and being put in isolation, or lined up blindfolded on arrival in tehran, while guards cock their weapons are true, and at this point, many will find it hard to believe this post factum story, it is not treatment that is unique to these fifteen individuals. Thousands upon thousands of palestinians, iraquis, afghanis and many secretly dunked "suspected terrorists" suffer a lot worse for a much longer time. no wonder the people of Gt. Britain are angry with the current leadership.
Patrick, st. augustine, USA
being american, I am proud of the britsh peoples fortitude and the unspoken pact of the americans and uk to live and die as brothers in arms. that is a comfort for both of us in this unsettled world; knowing somebody has your back. the incident with the iranians bothers me that the british troops, were taken with ease and held as pawns by these well, we called them students back in the day it happened to us. the fact that it even happened is a kick in the pants to the British and the americans for letting it get this far. you can rest assured it wont happen again. one thing about our good countrys is we live and learn. the net time an attempt is made to take hostages it will be a diffrent story.my only complant is that if your are going to send men and women in harms way make sure there up to the task. a little extra training in interogation resitance and brainwashing theory would have gone a long way here...so, snap it up and lets get back to what were fighting for..........
david, magnolia, arkansas/ usa
I wonder what would have happened if the Iranian soldiers were captured by U.S , Israeli or UK forces...Probably another Abu Ghuraib show on them. Ahmedinejad and the Iranian regime are no good for the people of Iran but the way they treated the UK personnel was something to appreciate.
volkan, Bromley/London, UK
The West should be gratefull to the Iranian president Ahmadinejad. Thanks to him we now know the full meaning of Islamic “hospitality” ... I prefer the Western meaning of the word “hospitality”.
l.karremans, heusden, Belgium
How very easy to critisize when we don't know the facts! We got the edited Iranian version, the current shocked victims version (exactly how many of you 'critics' have ever volunteered for anything harsher than tea or coffee with the neighbours?) so until you've actually been in their situation, PUT A SOCK IN IT!
The same sort of 'experts' in behaviour were the first to kick up a stink when DH got picked up for terrorism and are now preparing to welcome him 'home' with open arms, until he and his sort force you to mutilate your daughter and closet your wife or sister, and I don't mean Muslims, I mean extremists who use physical power to dominate women, or are they really just plates of meat?
Bridge, Adelaide, Australia
My critics can not be harsh enough. There is a thin (red) line between being a heroe and being a coward! I do not exspect every soldier to act like John McCain had the gutts to do in Vietnam! But in the face of those Royal Marines fighting an ancient war with handgranades and bajonettes in Helmand I would pay my respect in the way I would act as an RMC member in a much easier "battle"situation! At least I would refuse to play the fools play and act in front of a camera as if I were on a summer holiday! It's all about selfesteem and as a soldier I'm not in the position to stand for me alone. I act as a member of something more: a nation, my regiment, my comrades! I would give my best and resist being boyish, foolish, ridiculous. I am what my uniform(!) stands for after all. If that is not the thin (red) line I'm ready to draw - stay home! Do not join the Army, boy. It is all right than...
D. Richard Bode, Hamburg, Germany
Perhaps it was a setup so they could sell their story to the media.
It's not like they would be letting themselves get captured by the Americans and dissapear into a CIA torture camp, Abu Ghraib or Buantanamo bay.
Rob, Ascot, Berks
The next time our service personel find themselves in a similar situation, I would not be surprised if they just pulled the trigger.
Compare how Iraqi and Afghanistani captives have been treated.
No doubt this is a Government Spin to try and coverup Tony Blair's diabolical handling of the situation.
What do you expect when your Middle East Advisor is Lord Levy.
Rob, Ascot, Berks
If they were held in isolation most of the time and in fear of their lives, isn't it quite natural that they would feel elated and relieved on the odd occasion that they were allowed to be together? Think 'good cop/bad cop' routine. They were there for 2 weeks and we have a few minutes of video of them apparently enjoying a reunion and some more of them being coerced into lying a little to keep their captors happy. Of course it looks bad. It was designed and manipulated from the start to look bad and the Iranians are expert at exploiting hostages to the utmost....they've had a lot of practice. The British sailors and marines should certainly have been much better armed and protected from the air at all times. We are paying the price for not taking the Iranians seriously enough.
Andrew Kelsey, Royston, England
Usually, when people lie just the once, people are often reluctant to believe them next time round. So, if the 15 seamen have us believe that they "lied" to the Iranians, why should we believe that they are telling the truth now: because they are one of us? Because they were forced into a tight corner? How can we believe them when they were grinning like cheshire cats? Or is that the new look of a terrified person? At least the grins should have been contrived but they were anything but. Perhaps, i am being mean but why sign up to the military if you are not prepared to die for your country? What utter fraff! For my part, i do not believe our seamen and this whole nonsense about selling their story only makes the entire episode the more ticklish. I mean, who thunked it?!
Annie, Cambridge, UK
I must thank Iran for the photograph of the 15 dolled up in their new suits and receiving their presents. It's the first time as an Australian I have seen 15 dingoes photographed together. It's a world first dingo convention.
Robert Nickisson, Gorokan, Australia
First of the British need to chill....you guys are way too up-tight..seriously....this humilation talk is nonesene....yes the sailors were not prepared...yes they should not be in Iraq in the first place...yes Blair is a fool for following Bush into Iraq....all. But Iran did not humilate the British...the British put themselves into this ridiclous situation. and paid the price being getting caught in middle of a media circus...and the bottm line is all about publicity on all sides....Its obvious the Iranians went out of their way to take care of these sailors for PR afterward and the sailors fell for it...just come out with the truth ...the least the public deserve is to stop the lies..just stop...the sailors look much more terrified now back at home than with the Iranians....the public deserves at least one person in this to stand up and say we screwed up thats all....we just want to hear some truth something, anything but noy this rubbish....and now selling their stories...come on..
time2refelct, California, US
Britian allowing their solders to sell story of they ordeal is so ridicules. You don't have to be a genius to see that Britian is trying to repaired the damage these soilders has cause the Britian military by allowing them to spin they web on how their were treated. The bottom line was, 'the soldiers break down over the threat of violence and the fear of being put in jail for seven years".
Cancell this decision MoD and try to repair Britian Military image another way. I would hide these solders and let no one talk to them. Their are an embarrassment to Britian Mil.itary. " THEIR ARE COWARD'S'.
S.H, hopewell , Ny/US
I feel for the 15 British Solders but I can't help but look how easy it was for Iran to break them down. Just the threat of violence made them sell their pride. This only shows how weak british soilders are. I for one, though Britian had one of the strongest military force in the world, but now I don't know. Britian is trying to do damage control and repair their military Image these soldiers has cause.
The Comander's also showed no leadersnip qualities at all. The best orders he give them was " don't mess this up" while standing in line to shake Iran president hand. I would not follow this guy in a bowling alley. Both of them need to "STRIP OF THEIR RANK AND COURT MARTIAL FOR COWARDNESS IN THE FACE OF THEIR ENEMY".
S.H, hopewell , Ny/US
What a disgraceful exhibition these spineless so called marines displayed. One shudders when thinking of all those brave resistance fighters in europe who met torturous and horrifying deaths at then hands of the gestapo without revealing anything.As if looking though you had won the lottery while in captivty was not bad enough now they will cash in on their stories.Perhaps they knew something we didn't!
Oliver, british columbia,
I'm kind of surprised at the harshness with which so many people are judging the British military based on the actions of these fifteen people who were specifically being manipulated by the Iranians for propaganda.The comments about the Royal Marines and how they should act and so forth.There are a few thousand of them in Iraq and Afghanistan who are laying down their lives daily, fighting with bravery and ferocity,and living up to every expectation of what a Marine should be.People,don't let the Iranians win this PR campaign by buying into what they are trying to sell us.Im not happy with the way the British government handled this affair,but the men and women wearing the British uniform,the vast majority,do it great honor and are fighting for you in an honorable way that you can be proud of.The Iranian government is our enemy,they have contempt for us,they think we are weak.We must be stronger than they are,and we do this not with force of arms,but with "shear bloody mindedness".
Ian Turner, Austin, Texas USA
Britain needs to punish Iran for what happened. Just as the US attacked Iranian Naval sites after the release of those hostages Britain must take some action to regain their respect. The commander of that naval vessel that left the med be captured should be court charged with derelection of duty. Indecisive command causes far more damage than taking decisive action in defense of Your troops. That seed of defeatism will only grow in theminds of other commanders. Britain needs to advise all commanders of ships in the area that intervention in their operations by Iran should never be tolerated.
doc, pottsville, PA. USA
we are going to have fight the Iranians sooner or later,lets quit playing paddycake and get on with it already.
Todd, Redlands, California,USA
How can people compare these 15 to McCains imprisonment in Hanoi?
1 We are not at war with Iran.
2 These people did not have any operational secrets
3 Gov MaCain is a rare case of courage out of 1000s of POWs, you are highlighting the exception and not the rule.
I remember US pilots making the same propaganda videos in the first Gulf war. Why are people in the USA so intent on rubbing our nose in this story?
The Royal Marines are fighting with bayonets and grenades in Southern Afghanistan as we speak in areas most NATO countries refuse to go.
Leave the propaganda to the Iranians, Allies need to support each other.
Steve giles, Leeds, England
I don't agree with the people who claim this shows weakness in the Western Powers. This was just a situation where you had a weak link; 15 or so sailors who were sitting ducks waiting for someone to grab them. It's inexusable because it's the 2nd time. I suggest military personnel follow the Geneva Convention; do not surrender your uniform so readily and stick with name rank and serial number. If not, then you shouldn't be in the service. The woman with them probably also weakened their resolve. Hopefully, Britain's military will have a little more thought put into their naval patrolling and not allow this action. Also, they should consider themselves very fortunate the Iranians quickly turned over the sailors or this could have been a very long, miserable affair.
doug lominac, chicago, illinois
Great Britain. Rather great britain or even better
Miniscule Britain or Insignificant Britain or Little Britain.
Enough said.
Raul Gero, Miami, USA
I'm a bit confused. 1) What were British sailors doing in harms way without proper protective equipment or cover? Their commanders have some explaining to do and corrective action must be taken.. 2) Where is the British people's outrage for having their troops seized by Iran?
The Iranian leadership obviously feels it can insult and humiliate the west with impunity. This weakness will only encourage them to do more harm to "the infidels."
John R Aguilar, SARASOTA, Florida
As many of your contributors say it is very difficult to get at the absolute truth of the matter. I wonder what those who demanded action would have done, send a gunboat?Both countries misguide and mislead their own people; Iran surely did not expect anyone to believe that we had sent fifteen virtually unarmed sailors to invade them!!!!!!
And we produced a map "proving "that they were in Iraqi waters when we knew that there was no agreed national borders in the area.
It's true. The most plentiful element in the world is oxygen.
The next most plentiful must surely be stupidity!
Meurig Lewis McNally, cardiff, wales
As an American, I would like to say to our British cousins that you need not be ashamed of anything your 15 sailors & marines did, or failed to do. You have met your nations responsibility to all of the 15, to free them from unjust Iranian imprisonment. They would only have been used for endless propaganda like the american embassy hostages back in the late seventies. You have safely re-united them with their families and this is the very best outcome that Britain could have hoped for. Do not repeat the mistakes that America has made. Our two nations are joined not only by a common language, but also a common Christian faith. I rejoice with the 15 families and the entire British nation over the safe return of the sailors & marines. God bless them all. Pray for America my cousins.
B. Thomas, Charleston, USA, West Virginia
For me it is hard to believe that this is in the tradition of the British military especially it's glorious navy: "fighting back was not an option" for a soldier "fighting back" is always a option! I do not think of a shootout in the face of gunpointing: no no, I do not critize that surrender may be forced in a certain situation. I talk about "fighting" as a mental, spiritual attitude. Mr Air claims they did not "cooperate too much". Well: why was it even necessary to "cooperate" at all? To cooperate to escape torture - after I have expierienced torture - yes. It's human. But to avoid any havoc done to me by the enemy? That is not what the spirit of the Royal Marines should be like. It is simply disgusting. If you doubt my words look at Gov. McCains imprisonment in Hanoi some thirty years ago and see the difference. That is what military honour is about. Did it ever come to your mind - Captain Air - that there is that kind of "honourable" captiveness that is worth to live up to?
D. Richard Bode, Hamburg, Germany
The fifteen should have been dressed in football shirts and loaded with beer and fruity vodka drinks for the girls, need we ask what would happen. The Iranians would have sent them back, because of the abuse they would have taken and there would not be a chair left in Iran to sit on.
Why does the Royal Navy leave us with such pride? The problem is that the fifteen will come back and cause more trouble on the streets on a Saturday night.
The MOD creates an image of a modern fighting force and are hamstringed by unrealistic demands by Whitehall which put ordinairy sailors and soldiers in harms way. Britain should start getting the right policy, get strong leadership, get meaner feistier troops with weopan systems that can do the job. The commander of HMS Cornwall lost fifteen people and equipment in open water. Admiral's desk is too far from the action. The smugness of Admirals is like to Generals before the First World War!
DJ, Gloucester, UK
Does the British military actually teach its recruits anything about soldiering, honour, commitment, duty, their responsibility to the brave ones who have given up their lives for freedom in the past? Or in Tony Blairs la la land of political correctness is it merely "a job" take it or leave it, honour and dicipline are just words after all. I suspect that if it had been US marines or sailors in that boat they would not have been so ready to surrender, co-operate and smile for the cameras.
tom, London, uk
Iranian columnists are calling the release of the sailors a humiliation for Iran and saying the British are laughing at them by the way. - see today's Observer - half way down the story on the released Iranian diplomat it quotes Iranian MPs and commentators denouncing Ahmadinejad for humiliating Iran by meeting the sailors and sending them home in suits.
This whole incident is not worth going to war over in any way.
I'm fairly sure the sailors are telling the truth. The claims that they were in Iranian waters are dubious as are those that they were in Iraqi waters. The Iranians had no right to hold them and they were badly treated (not nearly as badly as many prisoners held by British and American forces in Iraq but that doesnt make it right to put anyone through a mock execution)
Duncan McFarlane, Carluke, UK
Since when did John Bolton become an expert on anything worthwhile in the world? His only claim to fame has been as a mouthpiece at the UN for the failures of the Bush administration. Other than false bravado, I haven't heard any really substantive ideas from Bolton or any other conservatives as to what Britain should actually have done to deal differently with Iran. Military strike? Even further, maybe a pre-emptive nuclear strike? Over 15 military personnel? Complete embargo against Iran? Nice thought but America under Bush has shown itself the greatest breaker of such embargoes (deals with Cuba for cash; allowing Ethiopia to buy arms from North Korea). Besides, a prolonged diplomatic standoff with Iran, possibly tied with some further economic sanctions, would simply have isolated Iran even further.
Michael Gosemann, Vancouver, BC Canada
Wow. Americans, despite the ribbing back and forth with Brits, have always admired their steely resolve in tough situations. This myth has been shattered. The hostages would have had to wear the cheap suits, but they didn't have to drink champagne, or "tussle each other's hair", or high five and joke about. That showcases a real lack of understanding (not to mention wimpishness) of what their actions portrayed to the world.
If Britain doesn't find it's stiff upper lip soon, she can expect to witness this spectacle again, only this time in Port Stanley.
YankTHIS, Washington, DC/USA
A new British Military Tradition, hands up in Iran , Hands held out in the UK
M Giddens, Melbourne, Australia
The world is sick. These prisoners should have gotten the same treatment as the Brittish and their US friends mete out at Abu Graib. Disgusting bussiness, I am a shame to carry a European passport, part of the countries that are supply the gangsters who wreak havoc on the Middle East.
Alexander Baldal, Sint Maarten, Dutch West Indies
utterly shameful. makes a total mockery of Britain and its military in the eyes of the world. just when it seemed that this Chav riddled nation couldnt slide any lower, these clowns manage to make us look worse in the eyes of the world. I cannot believe they'll have the nerve to sell the story of their surrender and sell out to a foreign nation.
Paul, London, UK
Well....Thank you very much for that gift!!!
I for one cannot fault any of the sailors for saying what they had to in order to get out of their sticky situation - when you are not dealing with reasonable people - that's what you have to do.
Coercion, kidnapping and extortion that’s what Iran is all about.
The one thing that this episode did was to remind us of the US Hostages in 1979-81 and how uncivilized the Iranians are. They obviously have learned nothing about diplomacy in the past 26 years and behave not as a nation, but as a group of hoodlums just as they did in 1979.
This is just another reason why Iran should not have nuclear capability.
Hiroku, Brighton, UK
It appears to me that the British Defense establishment needs an adaptation of the U.S. Military Code of Conduct. This was put into place after the bad experiences of the Korean War with prisoner brainwashing. It, at least, provides some guidance on how to act when facing an enemy captor. The best example is the generally correct conduct of the American pilots in Hanoi who underwent much harsher treatment over a prolonged period of time and kept their honor intact.
Hal Schieve, Whittier, California
Bloody hell. If we don't incinerate all of Iran's military now we are well and truly lost.
Maynard, NY/Oxford, US/UK
name, rank, number
end of story
darren, poole, uk
1. If they were treated well, the army would never allow them to say it - true or false, this is the only story that was ever going to be told.
2. Their treatment sounds very similar to that meted out by Britain's greatest ally in Guantanamo Bay. The problem with international law is that its enforcement is non-judicial, breaches simply come back and bite you on the backside... as here.
joe, brussels,
A lot of the outrage doesn't result from the way "Britain's finest" behaved while behind closed doors in captivity, but especially the outlandish way they behaved after being released. A few of them, particularly the squat short one, could not stop backslapping and carrying on like untrained schoolchildren. There's is absolutely no way that any trained military force could consider this an endorsement for their training style. Unless something is done radically and soon, it definitely reveals to the world that the heyday of the British fighting force is as safely esconced in the pages of history books as these young gentle men are in their soft beds back on the home front each evening. Be very wary!
John Bonnington, Pasadena, California, USA
Now in my mid fifties, I'm old enough to remember when Britain was truly great. For the last fifty years, the national pastime appears to be apologizing of their very existence. Perhaps its time to turn over the keys to their war ships to the French. I suspect even they would have put up a fight to defend it's nations honor. How very sad.
Bullard, Connecticut, USA
Iran & the whole MidEast are laughing at US in the West.
The Jokes on US vs Them,.
Next time NOT so funny.
Maybe combine US & UK Spec forces.
Send some Vulcan bombers into area for missions.
Beef up RN Gunboats in area with Miniguns & rockets.
Or contact Israel for aid.
See 1981 Iran raid.
They Know.
The UK is a joke in Defense.
Its not WW2 guys.
NO Falklands war here.
stephen russell, La Canada, CA USA
Iran kidnapped the 15 sailors as a test to see what the reaction would be. Their release was not a "gift". The president of Iran has big plans up his sleeve. I wouldn't trust him for a second.
Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif.USA
Before Bolton comes out with any more of his ridiculous belicose comments, will he please acknowledge that, while in the hands of the Iranians, the British personnel were not threatened by dogs, half drowned in baths of water, obliged to commit sexual acts, subjected to days of white sound and brilliant lights, urinated upon, fitted with electrodes to shock their genitals or moved across the world to hidden torture centres. No country ignores more international laws and conventions to terrify illegally held prisoners than the Americans, even flouting their own constitution and ignoring rulings of their own Supreme Court. And they hypocritically preach to the rest of the world and boast about their 'civilisation'! Bolton and his war-loving friends should keep quiet. They have no right to comment on Iran's treatment of the British personnel until they clean their own filthy stables. And will someone tell us what the Americans have done to the Iranian diplomats they kidnapped.
Robert Killick-Kendrick, Sumène, France
Iran is not Gantanamo, an Iranian have more respect for prisoners that US and British have. Us and British should be ashamed of criticising other countries after invading and occupying Irak, and their abuse of prisoners as well as murdering civilians
barlahan, lille, france
To Paul Graham, it;s true it was a touch embarrassing, but then I do not know nor hopefully will I know what its like to be abducted by a foreign rogue power, neither I suspect do you.
sonny, london,
This country needs to adopt the same strategie against other foreign enemies as is used in the arab countries, they are masters at it, they are having a laugh .
Kevin Clarke, Stockport, united kingdom
Everyone must realise and remember that we are living in a day and age where wars are covered by the media in a way never before possible. Gone are the days when a war was contained on the battlefield. It seems that terrorists (of all kinds - to include goverments and individuals) are utilising it to suit their own agenda.
Iran is clearly angry at attempts but the rest of the world to enforce sanctions - and is also unhappy at its various Qud members being recently captured. This was obviously an attempt to look "tough" in the face of such actions - and was perhaps even an attempt to convince its own people it can defend itself against the West.
Anyone who thinks that the 15's capture was faked, lies and orchestrated by the UK government - is clearly an idiot who would do well to go and live in Iran where such fantasies can be entertained on a daily basis.
Nils E, Shropshire, England
You knew that Britain would not take any meaningful measures against Iran's breach of international law when Blair said outside 10 Downey Street that the safety of the hostages or their safe return (or words to this effect) was his biggest concern. The safe return was his prime objective. You would expect this kind of compassionate and understandable statement and position from the FBI during a family hostage crisis or kidnapping but when countries take this position rather than acting on what is best for the country, one can't help but have doubts about the willingness of its society and government to defend itself. Britain has added a "tread on me" tagline to its flag.
Paul Graham, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Like the 15 sailors and marines I would have held up my hands,done and said what I was told and carried out my captors wishes to the letter.That's where the similarity ends as although I am a coward, I could never contemplate being a hypocrite.I would come home and hold my hands up again.Actually,unless forced, I would not have enlisted .
Terry Nicholas, Midsomer Norton, England
One must agree with 's' of London. The photos taken while the sailors were in captivity do not convey any sense of terror, nor do the captives appear to fear for their own lives. Quite the opposite, they appear at ease, and it is obvious that they are enjoying themselves. Why would Iran treat them badly and then release them, knowing that they would tell the world what had happened. It would be rather difficult to appear so jolly and relaxed for the photographer if in fact one felt one's life were truly in danger, and I agree that they now appear to be under much more duress than when they were in Iraq. Perhaps the best option now would be to go along with Ahmadinejad, thank him for his gesture (it will hurt no one to do so), and undertake serious military training so as to avoid even the possibility of such circumstances repeating. It seems likely that the sailors are being forced to tell a different 'truth' in order to save the face of the British armed forces.
Tatiana, Moscow, Russia
This is a JOKE....the sailors are obviosuly lying, they looked happy, smiling , eating and smoking and were going through their gifts with delight - would you do that if you had feared for your life at their evil hands days before? Infact they look much more under duress now than they did in iran!!!....the whole thing has been orchestrated and i wouldnt pay a penny to read what lies they have to tell to get money!
s, London, England
the question is why where they put in this position in the first
place. if they were going to board a ship why didnt they have
back up. what was there commander thinking. why isnt the
leadership being questioned
sam, pittsburgh, pa
I'm curious. What's the going rate for a hostage's story? Thirty pieces of silver? Is that what a soldier gets now for telling his humiliated nation that fighting was not an option?
TheMadKing, Nashua, NH USA
The Britain of history, who once boasted an empire on whose borders the sun never set, who stood alone against Hitler, is dead. In its place is a nation of neutered pacifists whose sailors put their own personal safety above all other concerns, and who appear never to have heard of duty, honor, or sacrifice. Poor Brittania, reduced to a cowering laughingstock of the world. Somewhere, Churchill is weeping.
Michael P. Delaney, Pasadena, Texas, USA
As a neutral, the longer this whole affair goes on the more Iran benefits. Further, the British are coming across as increasingly petulant and a tad hypocritical in this whole affair. The rhetoric coming out of London just now proves how utterly incompetent and untrustworthy the British have become. This not being helped by the media at all.
Another thing, the Navy crew should be asked to take lie detector tests before they sell their stories.
Sam Andersson, Scotland/Sweden,
We who have not been in such a situation cannot critisise the hostages for their actions after being caught. HOWEVER, the Royal Navy and the commander of this group, sitting in his ship, should never have allowed a force to be so exposed. He should face Court Martial and have to explain why he allowed the patrol out their in open waters, near Iranian territory, with no high-power cover.
Brian, Cambridge, UK
This is a case similiar to the Pueblo incident.
The Royal Marine in charge should have put one man on the radio to the mother ship for quick support, full speed toward the mother ship, distribute the "few" pistols to the crew with orders to repel an attempted boarding, and if Iranians fire first before attempting to board then the Brits are to return fire and try to make each bullet count. If they had died they would have died heros in the finest traditions of the British Empire.
W. D. Hobbs, Columbia, US
Still, the reported six figure sums that they will receive for the tales of their dashing heroics will no doubt help to ease the suffering...........
Mike 'Spudgun' Hardy, Romney Marsh, Kent
The immediate event has been resolved favorably with your marines and naval personnel returned safely albeit deeply humiliated. Iran, however, cannot be allowed to escape without consequences for its typically barbaric behavior.
Give the mullahs fair warning of an impending strike on their sole petroleum refinery. Employees can be evacuated and a Tomohawk launch planned to occur at an unspecified future date. If evacuated, the refinery is effectively shut down for the duration. If not, the personnel have been given their opportunity and a few well placed missles will eliminate Iran's principal source of gasoline for domestic consumption.
There are times when only punitive actions will suffice to achieve an ultimate diplomatic end. Clausewitz had a point.
Charles, Baton Rouge, LA
Well we all know the UK is a basket case , but but to treat to these wimps as heros is just another example of how the low the UK as sank, even the Royal Marines won't fight for the dump
MGiidens, Melbourne, Australia
It is obvious that the Iranian government would not execute 15 British service personnel just like that. We are not at war with Iran. There is no comparison with what happened to Ken Bigley. He was kidnapped by terrorists.
I am sure it was frightening. But I feel ashamed for our country and can't help but compare it to the bravery of British men and women during the Second World War. Did they really have to appear so friendly and apologetic as they were leaving?
Robert, Manchester, UK
Unfortunately,as the sailors are cashing-in on their so called "ordeal", Ahmdinajad cashed- in before them;his cost was a bunch of cheap suits, food, cigarettes for the woman and the goody bags,but he got a huge pay-off in the propaganda game.After this incident is forgotten,all what will be left, is the memory of the British sailors eating,smoking,playing chess,and praising the Iranian for letting them go.The comparison will always exist,between the treatment of those sailors in Iran ,and Abu Ghareib. No body will remember if these so called Marines trespassed, or if they were caught in Iraqi or Iranian waters,what will be remembered is their appearance on TV seeming very relaxed, and content of the treatment they received in Iran.For goodness sake,these are soldiers,trained to fight,but they surrendered very sheepishly.The score for this episode: Blair and Beckett ,and the Royal Navy:a very big zero,Ahmadinajad: a very well deserved ,low cost 10.
Sam, Dallas, USA
Britain is not "at War" with Iran. This was a diplomatic --incident--. Both the detainees and the British government acted maturely. Everyone knows and accepts that in such cases the appropriate thing for a detainee to do is appear to cooperate tongue-in-cheek, regardless of propoganda value for the wrongdoers. The objective is the safe release without significant concessions. To my knowledge, Britain gained the release and gave-up nothing material. Good for the British, and good for the British sailors. Kudos all around. The truth always comes out later, as it now has. If War is to come, let it come for better reasons and after cool deliberation.
Robert Adams, Longwood, FL USA
In the end, all the British sailors did was to go along with Iran's well-known weakness for mendacity for the sake of staying alive and, fingers crossed, regaining their freedom. What would you do? Some people have criticized their conduct as though they were actors in a fictional drama. In a Hollywood blockbuster things could, no doubt, have been a lot more exciting, with the West boasting a cast of bravely suicidal superhuman heros. The 15 British sailors and marines ended up playing a more useful role than people are sometimes prepared to recognize. Next time Iran claim to be genuine about their nuclear designs we can look back on those 13 days of anguish and ask whether that's what they mean.
Andre de Souza, London, UK
no Lynx helicopter or back up boats,this was the mistake and even if the ministry of defence is trying to cover up the fifteen,someone is going to get it in the neck.
I thought those in the armed forces were trained for this type of situation.
I think we have a situation today,whereby European leaders
much prefer to be passive in regard to middle eastern countries.After all nobody wants another Madrid or London.
Which means we have spineless leaders,gutless wonders
who are scared of their own shadows.
These terror mongers now know that they can do what they like with us,the only risk they take is having a few harsh words from our leaders.
David Nigel Braham, Milan, Italy
You know I think that the writer is correct. The "freelancers at Abu Graid did have the right idea. I'd rather have Private Lynndie England fighting for me than Faye Turney.
Come back Lynndie, all is forgiven. You DID know how to treat the enemy and how to win the PR battle!!
Arthur Gibson, Melbourne, VIC
If Britain is going to continue to offer hostage-bait in the region, with no fear on the part of Iran, better they simply pull out altogether, and stick to guarding the coasts of Britain.
Oliver Deeds, Denver, USA
Perhaps this is the way to treat kidnappers in general. Perhaps instead of bieig jailed or executed they should be lauded. If this humiliating act were followed by the wholesale bombing by britain, of the major Iranian political facilities, the UK would then not be seen as a cowed and pathetic nation.
bernard ross, st. anns bay, jamaica
In this day and age, the name-rank-serial-number rule for POWs is nonsensical. If the captors are in possession of a satellite dish, they're going to know far more than the POWs could reveal in any case. Since everyone knows that any statements by Western POWs are coerced, the obviously rational policy should be that anything demanded by the captors should be acceded to. Sufficiently applied torture will eventually elicit the desired statements anyhow.
Notice the problem here. While civil rights advocates in the West fret about the comforts of the prisoners we take, our enemies have no such concerns. Which brings us to the obviously inevitable futility of our Middle East crusade. If we're not willing to employ the brutal tactics of Saddam in Iraq, for example, we might as well go home. And, of course, we're not willing or able to--well, the free-lancers at Abu Ghraib might have had the right idea, but no way could it have been institutionalized
James Loftus, Falls Church, USA/Virginia
As a former Anglophile, I am truly ashamed and saddened by the actions of the British Navy and its sailors. There is NO EXCUSE for a serviceman to put his own safety as his top-priority. The statements made by the sailors even after their release reveal nothing but cowardice. It is evident that the great nation, the once-proud land of knights, crusaders, an empire on whose borders the sun never set, then of Churchill, is truly dead. In its place is a feminized, neutered, quivering nation of children living in fear of their Islamic overlords, those inside as well as outside its borders. I thank God Hitler arrived in the '40's, when England still had men who knew the meaning of duty, honor, and sacrifice.
Michael Delaney, Pasadena, Texas, USA
Yes ,yes .Everyone talks so big about how they should have resisted ,This was not a hollywood movie ,real guns real threats etc etc. Who would have fancied swoping places with these service personnel. Come on now ,raise your hands.....
A,T. Marin, Warsaw, Poland
We should be grateful that they came home safely, no matter what the circumstances. If they weren't defending God, Queen and Country, then at least they were performing a useful role in custom/excise enforcement on behalf of a foreign nation in very difficult and dangerous conditions.
egenewasilenia , Sydney, Australia