Go away, or I will taunt you a second time!
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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Europe threatens action as Iran airs new 'confession' |
| 2007-03-31 |
| EU foreign ministers support British position and warn of 'appropriate measures' if 15 sailors and marines not released Don't get too excited, now... The EU threatened to act against Iran last night if it did not immediately and unconditionally release the 15 British sailors and marines it has been holding for more than a week. EU foreign ministers meeting in Bremen, Germany, threatened "appropriate measures" if Tehran did not let the group go, supporting Britain's position that the crew had been in Iraqi waters when they were seized eight days ago. The ministers did not spell out what measures would be taken, but British diplomats hoped they would involve an escalating array of punitive steps. The tough statement was the kind of direct rebuke Britain had sought in vain from the UN security council on Thursday night when, in the face of resistance from Russia and others, the council only expressed concern but threatened no action. Despite the EU statement, prospects for a quick resolution to the crisis dwindled yesterday after another propaganda video and letter featuring more dubious confessions and apologies by the captives. The only glimmer of hope for a quick diplomatic solution was a note presented yesterday to Britain's ambassador in Tehran, portrayed by Iranian officials as conciliatory, which bore some resemblance to a letter sent shortly before the end of a similar drama in 2004. The letter restated that the British naval patrol was in Iranian waters when it was intercepted by boats of the Iranian revolutionary guard, which Britain denies. But unlike previous Iranian pronouncements it did not demand an apology, just a guarantee it would not happen again. More dithering at link... |
| Posted by:Dave D. |
| #19 Did you void your bowels at the Hollywood Bowl ? |
| Posted by: wxjames 2007-03-31 16:03 |
| #18 Be sure to note how when Graham Chapman (King Arthur) asks about the Holy Grail, John Cleese suddenly switches over from his flamboyant French to pidgen Italian: "Oh yes, itsa very nice-a." Yes, as a matter of fact I did see the Pacific West Coast premier of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". The entire audience was rolling in the aisles before the opening credits stopped running. Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time about having seen them live at the Hollywood Bowl. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-03-31 15:50 |
| #17 EU Response. Heh. |
| Posted by: Brett 2007-03-31 15:01 |
| #16 Much ado about nothing. Euros speak louder than the Europeans. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2007-03-31 13:37 |
| #15 How many legions has the EU? |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-03-31 13:06 |
| #14 I'm going to stick my neck out and predict "Iran will not exist within two to six months", they've gone too far this time, and any attempt at another such "Hostage taking" will be the final trigger. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2007-03-31 11:49 |
| #13 A Demarche they'll never forget! This time in INK! |
| Posted by: Angereling Borgia 2007-03-31 11:19 |
| #12 Go away, or I will taunt you a second time! |
| Posted by: doc 2007-03-31 10:56 |
| #11 No, no; a REALLY strong one! |
| Posted by: Bobby 2007-03-31 08:19 |
| #10 Sounds like it's time for the EU to write a really really strong letter. I mean a really really strong one. |
| Posted by: Oregonian 2007-03-31 07:27 |
| #9 ZF, the effluvia from that voiding is about how much "soft power" is worth in this type of situation. |
| Posted by: Mac 2007-03-31 06:39 |
| #8 This frightening display of irresistible and raw soft power will surely have the Iranians uncontrollably voiding their bowels. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2007-03-31 05:56 |
| #7 Action with what? The mighty EU army? |
| Posted by: Mac 2007-03-31 04:50 |
| #6 Assuming what the Mullahs want is their captured people in Iraq back (and possibly the defectee), the fifteen Brits aren't providing sufficient leverage. So expect another 'incident'. The danger for Iran is that the next incident results in shooting and likely dead Iranians with the resultant humiliation that needs to be avenged and the spiral quickly acelerates. Whether that spiral is up or down depends on your point of view. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2007-03-31 03:00 |
| #5 Blair must've pointed out to the EU that Britain was one of the few things keeping them afloat. |
| Posted by: mojo 2007-03-31 01:38 |
| #4 Screw "threats", screw "measures" screw everything but Iranian facilities going up in flames, one by one, until the mullahs are brought to their senses. As 'moose has pointed out time and again, merely nailing Iran's very few but precious gasoline refineries will bring the entire country to a screeching halt. No more prinking about, Britain. It's long past tea for putting a boot up Iran's arse. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-03-31 01:30 |
| #3 The PU is the biggest trade partner to Irant. Apparently "appropriate measures" doesn't mean commence |
| Posted by: Captain America 2007-03-31 01:14 |
| #2 I wish Keith Laumer was still alive. |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2007-03-31 00:57 |
| #1 If the EU will just not play the spoiler this time around it would make things incredibly easier. And if we can somehow pull off the coup of getting moral support and maybe just maybe even some over restricted nearly useless short nation building forces to boot it will be amazing. |
| Posted by: C-Low 2007-03-31 00:30 |