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New letter released in hostage crisis
Sky News ^ | Sky News

Posted on 03/29/2007 11:02:02 AM PDT by UKrepublican

New Iran Captive Letter Updated: 18:56, Thursday March 29, 2007

Iran has published another letter allegedly written by Leading Seaman Faye Turney in which she supposedly calls for British forces to withdraw from Iraq.

The letter also asks the British Government why it allowed the British captives to stray into Iranian waters.

And it goes on to say the group is being treated well by the Iranians.

Analysts immediately doubted the validity of the letter, saying the wording was not likely to have been thought up by the 26-year-old sailor.

The letter coincided with the release of new footage of the 15 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines being seized by Iranian gunboats in the Gulf.

In the video clips, gunshots are heard and a helicopter is shown hovering above inflatable boats in choppy seas.

Iranian boat (R) approaching a Royal Navy vessel Vessels close in on Royal Navy boats then the 15 captured Britons are shown seated in an Iranian gunboat.

The arrest footage was preceded by a senior Iranian officer using maps to explain how the Britons had "crossed into Iranian territory".

Iranian TV had previously shown video footage of the detainees eating and talking.

That broadcast featured an interview with L/S Turney in which she confessed - probably under duress - that the Britons had been at fault.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was a "disgrace" the way L/STurney, a 25-year-old mother of a three-year-old girl, was shown on TV.

"We are going to have to step up pressure not just with them in the UN and the European Union, but see what further measures are necessary to get them to understand it's not merely wrong but only going to result in further tension," he added.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: crisis; hostage; iran; iranian; uk
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To: UKrepublican

What irks me is that they went heavy on the woman, knowing she could be easily intimidated. Sadly it worked. I am sure that threatened with rape (or worse!) She is doing whatever she can to stay safe.

None of the men have made statements like this. It is likely that the only thing that the men would give the Iranians is the "Hawaiian good luck sign".

I find the Iranian actions disturbing.


61 posted on 03/29/2007 11:27:59 AM PDT by Mr. Quarterpanel (I am not an actor, but I play one on TV)
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To: ibbryn
"This sailor had better start giving unmistakable signs that things that she's saying are being said under duress. I don't know if Royal Navy recruits are given training in this but if I know of some ways to do it (having seen examples from North Vietnamese propaganda films) she should know some."

Well, not sure if it's a signal but I did see that during at least one of the propaganda films she is standing with her finger alongside her nose.

62 posted on 03/29/2007 11:28:22 AM PDT by Centurion2000 (Democrats in Republican Clothing ... DIRC ... They are the knives in the back of the GOP.)
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To: UKrepublican
"The Iranians have not only committed an act of war, they have also committed war crimes."

Thanks, I wasn't sure. This should not be allowed to stand.

63 posted on 03/29/2007 11:28:26 AM PDT by spunkets ("Freedom is about authority", Rudy Giuliani, gun grabber)
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To: sissyjane
Who is the author of that poll? Madeline Albright?

Maybe "Half"bright is now working for SkyNews...

64 posted on 03/29/2007 11:29:04 AM PDT by bygolly
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To: spunkets
...under the Geneva Conventions?

Showing video of these uniformed soldiers in prison is a flat out violation of the Geneva Conventions, even if there weren't obvious signs of coercion... And where is the MSM outcry?

65 posted on 03/29/2007 11:29:24 AM PDT by LikeLight (tagline expired - do you wish to renew?)
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To: Robe

LOL. Thanks for that!


66 posted on 03/29/2007 11:29:26 AM PDT by Frank_Discussion (May the wings of Liberty never lose a feather!)
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To: UKrepublican
Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was a "disgrace" the way L/STurney, a 25-year-old mother of a three-year-old girl, was shown on TV.

No, its a "disgrace" that a 25-year-old mother of a three-year-old girl is allowed to be a soldier in a war zone.

67 posted on 03/29/2007 11:31:47 AM PDT by icwhatudo (The rino borg...is resistance futile?)
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To: ibbryn
Nothing she says or writes in captivity matters and should be held against her.

I don't entirely agree.Just as was the case with our pilots at the Hanoi Hilton,there are ways to communicate coercion particularly when audio or video recordings are concerned.Letters don't mean much unless they're released in the actual hand of the prisoner.

Should she have said "oh,go f**k a donkey,you filthbag" on the video she made yesterday? Probably not.But she could have done something (fast blinking of her eyes,perhaps) or made her statement in an unusual fashion or tone of voice.....

I don't know what rank she is but with 7 years in I would think that she would have risen to a rank of some authority...perhaps an NCO/Petty Officer.If I'm correct then I think she should know better that to appear completely docile and submissive in a propaganda video.

68 posted on 03/29/2007 11:31:49 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative ("The meaning of peace is the absence of opposition to socialism."-Karl Marx)
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To: bygolly

I think you miss the meaning behind the poll. It's not that the UK is really sorry, or even pretends otherwise, but if those words get our sailors back then is it worth it?

I still think NO, but the poll isn't suggesting Britain IS or SHOULD BE sorry.


69 posted on 03/29/2007 11:32:15 AM PDT by Jack_Macca
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To: UKrepublican
Partial image of new letter...


70 posted on 03/29/2007 11:32:18 AM PDT by LikeLight (tagline expired - do you wish to renew?)
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To: icwhatudo

Do you actively protest against female's in the American military?


71 posted on 03/29/2007 11:33:37 AM PDT by Jack_Macca
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To: UKrepublican

Britian has responded by stopping the sale of kidney pies and Beatles records to Iran.


72 posted on 03/29/2007 11:35:30 AM PDT by pabianice
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To: Jack_Macca
Do you actively protest against female's in the American military?

Our military,too,had women in combat roles.I don't know about you but I have a serious problem with women performing combat duties or serving in combat theaters...with the possible exception of medical personnel.

What we're seeing with this Royal Navy sailor is just *one* reason why I believe this.But it's a debate for another day.The immediate concern is getting the 9th Century knuckledragging mullahs to release these sailors quickly,unconditionally and unharmed.

73 posted on 03/29/2007 11:41:59 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative ("The meaning of peace is the absence of opposition to socialism."-Karl Marx)
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To: bygolly; All

"Should we say sorry to get our sailors back? Yes or No"

My initial presumption was that the Brits would do nothing. But now Iran is backing the Brits into a corner. At the same time the Iranians have backed themselves into a corner, they have miscalculated grievously.

Unless the Brits 1)totally Neville out in the end and get on their knees (which now I think they can't) or the the Iranians 2) humiliate themselves and let hostages go without Brits apologizing.......I think we are headed to a wider war into Iran.

...and to the Brits I say we stand with you fullspeed, there is no way that the US and Pres. Bush will let you down after how you guys supported us after 911. God, I wish I were 26 instead of 46.


74 posted on 03/29/2007 11:44:01 AM PDT by rbmillerjr ("Message to radical jihadis...come to my hood, it's understood ------ it's open season" Stuck Mojo)
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To: jdm

Here's an easy bet. If the USA elects a dem, there will be another hostage crisis.
Why? Cuz they think Bush will retaliate and a dem won't. They're right.


75 posted on 03/29/2007 11:44:56 AM PDT by Leftism is Mentally Deranged
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To: Frank_Discussion

Not short, but how's this?

"By demanding the immediate withdrawal of our forces from Iraq, as a condition of release of 15 British maritime hostages, Iran has identified its status as an enemy state combatant in the War on Iraq. To that end, the United Kingdom demands either immediate release or full adherence to the Geneva Convention regarding the protection and providence due uniformed prisoners of war. If these protocol are not observed in full, Great Britain reserves the privilege to invoke it's right to self defense and employ whatever means necessary to secure the release of said prisoners, up to and including decisive military force."


76 posted on 03/29/2007 11:46:22 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever (Ubi Petrus, ibi ecclesia, et ubi ecclesia vita eterna)
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To: Jack_Macca
Do you actively protest against female's in the American military?

No, just mothers with little kids being used in war zones. Big difference.

77 posted on 03/29/2007 11:46:40 AM PDT by icwhatudo (The rino borg...is resistance futile?)
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To: Jack_Macca
I still think NO, but the poll isn't suggesting Britain IS or SHOULD BE sorry.

Agreed, but the problem is how it will be portrayed and perceived and overall it will be seen as weakness. When you project weakness, it encourages more of the same. There are no solutions that come without a price.

78 posted on 03/29/2007 11:48:28 AM PDT by bygolly
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To: Rutles4Ever

I like it, but I still suspect brevity would drive it home better. And I include my bit as too long, as well.

Maybe a statement like yours as a background leading up to a summary pithy declaration.


79 posted on 03/29/2007 11:51:29 AM PDT by Frank_Discussion (May the wings of Liberty never lose a feather!)
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To: UKrepublican

Isn't it against the geneva convention that lib erals hold so dear that you cannot parade prisoners of war on television period? If so, where is the outrage from Cindy Sheehan, Sean Penn, and the rest?


80 posted on 03/29/2007 11:58:14 AM PDT by gop4lyf
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