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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| British troops make televised confession |
| 2004-06-23 |
| EFL ...but only after they were shown on state television blindfolded and then making a public confession. In a dramatic and humiliating twist to the incident, two officers admitted they had made a "big mistake", insisted it was an accident and apologised to the Islamic republic’s Revolutionary Guards. "My name is Thomas Hawkins from the British Royal Navy, number D04428," said the first officer, who appeared to be reading from a prepared text. "Our team of three boats and eight crew entered Iranian waters by mistake. We apologise because this was a big mistake," he said, according to a translation of the Arabic voice-over provided by Al-Alam, Iran’s official Arabic-language satellite news channel. The second officer, clearly reading from a prepared text and also standing on the banks of the Shatt al-Arab waterway, introduced himself as "Chief Petty Officer Robert Webster of the Royal Navy, number D987567 Alpha." He said the team had "accidentally entered Iranian waters" when they were arrested on Monday. Prior to the confessions, state television had shown the men being held blindfolded in a cramped room. |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #8 :) JAB: I haven't heard people blaming anyone except the Iranians themselves. People are aware of the incident, I think they just believe it's all a bit of nonsense and/or posturing that'll be resolved peacefully in a few days. |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-06-23 5:10:00 PM |
| #7 Roooooooooooooneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!!! |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-06-23 5:06:21 PM |
| #6 Rooooooooooooooooooooooney!!! |
| Posted by: Howard UK 2004-06-23 11:41:09 AM |
| #5 Howard is right. Wayne Rooney is the only thing on (English, at least) minds now... |
| Posted by: someone 2004-06-23 11:36:40 AM |
| #4 That outcome we're all praying for is most likely if this does not degenerate into some sort of finger pointing exercise. Sounds like it hasn't. |
| Posted by: JAB 2004-06-23 9:25:10 AM |
| #3 The only thing that seemingly matters at the moment in the UK is the football/soccer! I don't think the Iranians have to do very much to get the collective British 'back up' -(Iranian Embassy siege etc.) The press seems to be focussing upon the machinations of the regime - who will get the upper hand? What their purpose is when relations between the two countries have been at their strongest for some time? No criticism of our role in the war that I've seen. Personally praying that our boys come home safe. |
| Posted by: Howard UK 2004-06-23 9:09:49 AM |
| #2 Howard. How's the mood in the UK? Are they blaming that evil dumb cowboy and his poodle or are they angry at the mullahs? |
| Posted by: JAB 2004-06-23 9:02:15 AM |
| #1 We should wait for them to stray into Iraqi waters and put their troops through a similar ordeal. The ensuing outcry from the Arab world would be deafening. Animals. Time to up the anti in that part of the Shatt al-Arab - get the SBS patrolling regularly. |
| Posted by: Howard UK 2004-06-23 8:47:31 AM |