Blair says there was no deal, and: "The general picture, as I have said before, is there are elements at least of the Iranian regime that are backing, financing, arming, terrorism in Iraq."
From the BBC, with thanks to John:
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted no deal was done to free 15 Royal Navy crew members, as they arrive at Heathrow after being held in Iran.They were released "without any deal, without any negotiation, without any side agreement of any nature" he said.
New lines of communication had opened during the 13-day crisis, which it would be "sensible" to pursue, he said.
But he said there must be no weakening of resolve on other issues, like Iran's alleged support for terrorism in Iraq.
'Terrorist act'
Speaking as the Royal Navy crew arrived back at Heathrow, Mr Blair said he rejoiced at their return.
But it had to be tempered with the "ugly reality" of the deaths of four British soldiers in Iraq, killed by "a terrorist act" in Basra.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed on Thursday that four soldiers had been killed in a roadside bomb blast targeting a Warrior patrol and a fifth was seriously injured.
Mr Blair said it was "far too early" to point to any Iranian involvement in that particular attack.
But he added: "The general picture, as I have said before, is there are elements at least of the Iranian regime that are backing, financing, arming, terrorism in Iraq."
I dont buy it
"But he added: "The general picture, as I have said before, is there are elements at least of the Iranian regime that are backing, financing, arming, terrorism in Iraq."
.....IN Iraq.....and elswhere....
Did the iranians return the Brittish watercraft?
I heard Tony Blair say something profound at the press conference anouncing the captives' return the other day; it sheds light on what I think may be the purpose behind the whole affair.
Blair described remaining calm during the cris and then said, "We did not negotiate, nor did we confront." In other words, we did nothing.
This is exactly what the Mullas or Ahmadinajad or whoever is in charge there want the western world to do regarding all of the issues in the current standoff: Terrorism in Iraq, Hezballah, and especially the nuclear issue. The message is - sit back, do nothing and you will be rewarded. The way Britain handled the hostage crisis is exactly the way Iran wants the world to handle their uranium enrichment program.
Don't confront, no need to negotiate, Iran is in control and will make everything alright in the end. In addition, it does enforce his standing as "cock of the rock" amongst all the zealots in the middle east. I prefer to think of him as just the "cock" however.
Let's see, two carrier strike groups in the region, a third en route. No negotiations necessary.
My two cents. I don't believe a deal was made and here's why. If Blair had made the above comments BEFORE the release of the British soldiers that would of scuttled their release as the Iranians would lose face in the eyes of the world. Now that they are back they can be debriefed and hopefully the soldiers will be allowed to speak to the media and we can hear their side of it. I'll believe the soldiers version before the thug in chiefs.
As a side note and food for thought. Whether you believe in Christian prophecy or not this is what I was told yesterday from a reliable source.
Many of you may of heard of David Wilkerson and another source I cant remember their name has said. "That God has revealed to them that major terror attacks will hit this country this fall in 07".
If this is true, and I have no reason to believe its not after all the Thug in Chief has been crying for our destruction among others and that it will happen very shortly, then would it of been wise to hold onto the British soldiers and possibly causing a US and allied military response? Would that not of thrown off their plans for our destruction? Or will we respond militarily now and will that bring on fall terror attacks? A catch 22 situation. Doomed if we do and doomed if we don't.
Time will tell.
I'm thinking that maybe Blair did nothing because he knows something is up. Just get his soldiers home, and then let whatever happens happen. Somewhere on t.v. it was suggested there was a good cop / bad cop thing with the U.K. and the U.S.. I hope so, if the U.S. is the bad cop, I hope we go at it with so much force that maybe all of the islame-o-fascist hotheads in the region will start getting booted out by anyone who really does want peace. If nobody in the region wants peace, then ......oh well. It sucks to be you. I am always optimistic the civilized world will wake up. Sometimes you have to use force to gain peace. It sucks but it is true. Just ask any kid that was bulleyed in school. I'm not talkin about rifle toting trench coat freaks, I'm just talkin about your average kid who has to scrap to ward off a bully and gain respect. (Although nowadays there is probably a counselor for that.) Let our military do what it needs to do to get this situation under control. Stop the P.C., change the attitude and lets get it done. If you appease your out!!! .
I say they confiscate the 'cheap suits' from the former hostages and send them back to Iran on the next batch of Iranians found in Iraq.
Kind of a thanks but no thanks gesture.
-XRDC
Just over a week ago the Iranians were talking of charging the 15 with spying. Just a few days ago student were protesting outside the British embassy in Iran for the execution of the 15. Just yesterday T.Blair was quoted as say the next 48 hours are 'fairly crucial'. Today we see a total back flip and the 15 are released. I'd like to assume Iran was given an ultimatum and they buckled under the threat of retaliation for their obvious act of war...
CHEAP SUITS....
....I think the suits were a subliminal snub....has anyone noticed the suits looked amazingly just like the attire worn by Ahmadinejad?....badly fitting and no tie...
...as if to say .."See, I can make you appear just like me...."
....Did the Iranians keep the military uniforms for a future use?.....
The Have Your Say at the BBC on this issue is making me cringe. After reading pages and pages of comments 'in order' and 'recommended' I can only hope that they are not a good representation of the way most western people feel. There were so many comments saying that "Mr." Ahmadinajad was so much more upstanding than "Bliar" and Bush. (No Mr. for them) He was showing good faith unlike the US and the UK. At least Iran can be trusted while the UK and the US can't be. He is a real "gent".
And the worst...
He should be nominated for a Nobel peace prize for ending this diplomatically.
Just sickening...
No deal? The New York Sun is saying otherwise. We'll see.
"He should be nominated for a Nobel peace prize for ending this diplomatically"
......I remember they gave Arafat a Nobel Peace Prize......
sometimes the world is insane.....
One has to remember that Blair is Clinton in an English skin. When he says they did not negotiate, it means someone else did for them.
Iran got exactly what it wanted in this stage. It got a signed letter from the English stating they would not enter Iranian waters.
The English just signed off on giving Iran international waters.
The Iranians also bled the English off from the Americans, so when the "fight" comes it will just be America it will deal with.
It is far too early to say that the particular terrorist act that killed our forces was an act committed by terrorists that were backed by any elements of the Iranian regime," he said. "But the general picture, as I said before, is that there are elements at least of the Iranian regime that backing, financing, arming, supporting terrorism in Iraq."
Tony Blair to the AP about four British Troops ambushed Thursday in Iraq...
Police said the British patrol was en route from detaining 1st Lt. Haidar al-Jazaeri of the Interior Ministry's Major Crimes unit. The police would not say why al-Jazaeri had been detained.
....Did the Iranians keep the military uniforms for a future use?.....
Posted by: exsgtbrown at April 5, 2007 11:35 AM
Any questions SGT?
I think Iran gave in because they have no Ace in the hole.
Blair called Iran's bluff.
Blair, who holds a small stick, and talked rather softly, quietly suggested Iran would get hit really hard with it.
Iran would have a really hard time singling out only British targets to retaliate against.
Everyone held Britain out to dry.
Britain could respond unilaterally as it saw fit, preventing Iran from responding against anyone it saw fit to.
Iran is really limited in options to reach British targets that wouldn't violate others sovereign territory.
I can see Iran trying to target British warships exiting the Gulf surrounded by Neutral Tankers of the willing. A moving target for sure. But is Iran really going to sink all that Shipping???
Could Iran even see a British war ship behind a Supertanker???
In a way, The West lost a chance to drive the Iranians up a wall of frustration. Sending a message to those peaceful Muslims in Persian Dress who want freedom so much. Just what life will become if they don't change their Underwear.
When they start having to walk to market to find there are even fewer Tomatoes. They might start to do something about it. Before we turn out the lights.
All this time knowing. Iran has no Ace up their sleeve, Yet.
At the minimum, Iran will bide it's time until, at the least, Israel can be struck.
What greater Glory to Allah than being the Man who destroyed Israel. What riches await him in Paradise.
Iran would like to Blood its Faithful befor the end. A Muslim parting gift.
"Ya, Think, Mr. Blair?"