Posted on 04/05/2007 11:24:18 AM PDT by Kaslin
THE 15 Navy hostages held by Iran were made to grovel before being given their freedom last night.
Conniving President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad bragged to the world that he ordered their release as an Easter gift to the British people.
Then he insisted on taunting the group one by one in a sickening line-up at his palace in Tehran, for which they were kitted out in brand new suits — with no ties.
With a creepy smile, the president asked captive Leading Seaman Chris Coe, 31: Have you enjoyed your mandatory vacation?
British ambassador Geoffrey Adams last night met the eight sailors and seven Marines for the first time in their ordeal, at Iran's Foreign Ministry HQ in Tehran.
They were due to board a BA flight to Heathrow this morning and then be helicoptered to an RAF base for an emotional reunion with their families.
Jubilant parents and partners of the 14 men and one woman cast aside their disgust at yesterday’s propaganda stunt to celebrate the end of the 13-day crisis.
Summing up their joy, Marine hostage Adam Sperry's mum Sandra said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic.”
The group whooped with joy when they learned of the news live on TV, after Ahmadinejad called a grandstanding press conference to announce it.
Royal Marine Captain Chris Air spoke of his shock as he waited to meet the president in Tehran. He said: “We’re delighted. It’s come as a complete surprise.
Prime Minister Tony Blair led UK relief at the announcement, which also took the Foreign Office and Whitehall by surprise.
He said outside No 10: “I know their release will come as a profound relief.
“We have taken a measured approach, firm but calm. Not negotiating, but not confronting either.”
And in a message to the Middle Eastern country, he added: “To the Iranian people I would simply say this, ‘We bear you no ill will. On the contrary, we respect Iran as an ancient civilisation, a nation with a proud and dignified history’.”
The Prime Minister was adamant last night that NO deal had been done — a claim for once backed by Ahmadinejad.
Mr Blair had also stood firm in refusing demands for apologies following accusations that the boarding team, from HMS Cornwall, had entered Iranian waters.
Ahmadinejad earlier dubbed the sudden release a “pardon”. After a lengthy anti-Western rant, he announced: “This pardon is a gift to the British people.” In yesterday’s bizarre “freedom” ceremony, the hostages were kitted out in specially-tailored suits, but denied ties — considered by the mullahs a Western extravagance.
Speaking to the president through a translator, each of the Brits was ushered up to him by flunkies and encouraged to flatter him. Operator Mechanic Nathan Summers — the “star” of an earlier propaganda video issued by Iran — said: “We appreciate it.
“Your people have been really kind to us, and we appreciate it very much. We are grateful for your forgiveness.” Ahmadinejad replied: “You are welcome.”
Gathered together in a line, the Brits were then all asked to wave and smile at a bank of cameras.
But three — Royal Marine Air, 25, and Marine colleagues Mark Banks, 24 and Danny Masterton, 26 — refused, keeping their hands defiantly in their pockets.
Ahmadinejad heaped praise on the commander of the fanatical Revolutionary Guards who snatched the British group — General Yahya Rahim Safavi.
And he pinned a medal on the boat captain who led the raid, which came as the troops were leaving a broken-down cargo ship.
In another dig to embarrass the British Government, the extremist also insisted it was cruel to send one of the boat drivers — Faye Turney, 26 — away to sea, so far from her three-year-old daughter Molly.
Brave hostage Lieutenant Felix Carman, 26, later refused to admit British ships were in Iranian waters when captured. He was being quizzed on local TV for a propaganda piece late last night and was asked if he had a message for the Iranian people. He said: “I can understand why you were insulted by our APPARENT intrusion into your waters.
“I’d like to say no harm was meant to the Iranian people.”
Leading Seaman Turney also spoke on camera saying: “I feel relieved to go home. We were treated well and not harmed in any way.” Royal Marine Air added: “Everyone is in good heart and good spirits.”
Defence Secretary Des Browne praised the resolve of the captured Britons. He said: “They acted with great dignity throughout.”
The surprise release ended a difficult two weeks of ups and downs for Mr Blair’s efforts to spring the 15 hostages. The EU came to Britain’s aid with a statement of condemnation. But shamefully the UN stopped short of that after Russia blocked a form of words that slammed the capture.
Dialogue between London and Tehran was eventually opened via an exchange of letters after diplomats had to wait a week for Iranian holidays to end.
Then, Mr Blair stated in the morning that “the next 48 hours” were critical in the stand-off.
His top foreign policy adviser Sir Nigel Sheinwald went on to hold a 40-minute phone conversation with Iran’s chief international negotiator Dr Ali Larijani on Tuesday night. No 10 then released a statement which pointed to significant progress.
that little son o bitch will get his..take that to the bank
Good for them...!
I think we need to park a US Aircraft carrier on the same lat/long coordinates and ask, “Hey, wanna play?”
Ah...I don't mind taking it to the bank but I don't want to stand in line there forever. :-(
Sorry, but the Brits need a code of conduct - it seems like they did not impart one to their troops.
Compare their compliance to that of our Vietnam POWs.
Return with Honor - not.
Strange, but I think these 15 could have opened the door for the destruction of the Iranian government. Unfortunately, they most likely wouldn’t have lived to tell about it.
Oh crud, I may have to start wearing ties again.
The Brits looked a little to friendly in the company of Armagedondouche. A stiff upper lip would have done much more to serve the interest of their country and alliance with us. As far as being taunted goes, I sure hope the RGs didnt put panties on thier heads.
Those 15 ought to have a suit burning party, and invite the press!
No, only a head-rag.
That quivering upper lip just didn’t seem to have the same effect.
Amen to that.
God Bless the Viet Nam POW's.....men among boys.
It seems like a lot of these soldiers did what they were told with little or no reistance. If so, they should be ashamed. I wouldn’t be accpeting gift bags and new suits from them either.
“...but denied ties — considered by the mullahs a Western extravagance....”
I don’t look at it that way. Peronaly, I just hate wearing them.
If I were Nathan I would be trying to get a transfer to the French armed forces, or at least a position as a U.N. Peace Keeper.
As far as I’m concerned, the brits can tuck tail and slink back home. I want nothing else to do with those pansies until they find their testicles.
Nutjob, this JDAM’s got yer name on it ....,
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