How can this be? The wonderful Amajedanut allowed this to happen?
Posted on 04/06/2007 9:58:49 AM PDT by Lucky9teen
ROYAL MARINE BASE CHIVENOR, England — The 15 British sailors and marines seized by Iran said Friday they were blindfolded, kept in isolation and warned that if they didn't admit being in Iranian waters they faced up to seven years in jail.
"We were interrogated most nights and given two options," the crew said in an agreed statement read at a press conference. "If we admitted that we had strayed, we would be back on a plane to the UK pretty soon. If we didn't, we faced up to seven years in prison," they revealed.
The group insisted they were in Iraqi waters when they were detained and said that in captivity they suffered "constant psychological pressure." They said they heard weapons being cocked behind them and feared the worst.
"Let me make this clear — irrespective of what was said in the past, we were inside Iraqi waters," Lt. Felix Carman told a news conference attended by 6 of the 15 British sailors and marines held in Iran for nearly two weeks.
"From the outset, it was very apparent that fighting back was not an option," Marine Captain Chris Air said of their capture in the Gulf on March 23.
Air said the crew faced an aggressive Iranian crew. "They rammed our boats, and trained their heavy machine guns, RPGs, and weapons on us."
"We realized that had we resisted there would have been a major fight, one we could not have won and with consequences major strategic impacts," Air said "We made a conscious decision not to engage the Iranians and do as they asked."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Well, maybe John McCain should make the rounds on British military bases and remind these soldiers there are worse things than spending 7 yrs in an Iranian prison: defaming your country and sullying your own uniform with cowardice.
I’m sure their “explanations” will be completely accepted by their ship mates .... especially down at the VFW having a few pints with some WWII vets .... yeah.
They were tortured.
How many Bibles were thrown in toilets?
I’m sure the ACLU will notify the BCLU lawyers and file a lawsuit because of Iran violating the sailors’ Geneva Convention rights...
“We were subjected to numerous Wet Williams’.”
How can this be? The wonderful Amajedanut allowed this to happen?
I was never in the service, so I’m not going to judge. But somehow I can’t imagine US Marines acting the same way in such a situation.
“Hey, man, y’all think I’m gonna spend 7 years in some f***ing prison just to keep my g**d*** country from being embarassed? Wha you smoken, man? I got better things ta do than spend 7 f***ing years in some h*** hole just because I was stupid enough to sign up for the f***ing navy! I don’t give one f*** about my country and whether or not some big wig might get his shorts in a knot! I do my job, see, and as soon as I can git outta this here f***ing navy I’m goin home to ma girl and ma kid, an we even may git married, man. No way I’m gonna stand still and be no hero. What a piece of s*** and waste of time that is! No way, man!”
Stunning that they let this small group of sailors in an inflatable boat operate outside of the Cruiser’s scope of protection. Some serious court-martialing needs to go on.
I think that’s a key that sometimes gets lost in people arguing whether or not the sailors and Marines acted appropriately. They should never have been captured in the first place, because as soon as the Iranians left their territorial waters and made a move toward the inflatables, they should have been blown to meet Allah. And as soon as they were grabbed, there should have been bombs falling on the Iranian Navy immediately.
Whoever set the Cornwall’s policy to be that passive, and hung those out that close to the Iranian border with no backup (or with backup that had its hands tied because of restrictive ROE), THOSE are the heads that should roll. No matter how high it goes, clear into the MoD if need be.
}:-)4
Not knowing the full circumstances, I'll refrain from stating my personal opinions on the matter of the hostages' behavior. Besides that, the fact that the Iranian Navy remains afloat following their release, pretty much says everything.
Always remember the look in those POWs eyes—then compare to what we saw on video from this incident. Not at all alike, or even similar. Fear shows up in the eyes.
Good point.
Prediction - These marines will be receiving white fathers in the mail
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