Posted on 10/22/2010 3:37:55 PM PDT by library user
~ EXCERPT ~
Iran has accused three American hikers of illegally crossing into Iranian territory in July 2009 and is still holding two of them in prison. But a classified American military report made public by WikiLeaks, which describes the chaotic day when the hikers were detained, asserts that the hikers were on the Iraqi side of the border when they were seized.
The initial reports of any incident are not always correct. But one American government official who served in Iraq said that the field report was generally consistent with what he had been told by Iraqi officials — namely, that the hikers were close to the border but on the Iraqi side.
The episode began when four Americans traveled from Syria to northern Iraq, planning to hike up the Ahmed Awa, a mountainous area with a dramatic waterfall. One American, Shon Meckfessel, became ill and stayed behind when his friends — Shane M. Bauer, Joshua F. Fattal and Sarah E. Shourd — set out on July 31.
A July 31 field report states that Mr. Meckfessel learned of the arrests when a “female called him saying they were being surrounded by armed men.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Iran is holding two Americans as hostages and Obama has done nothing for over a year.
But, these young people, though they are Leftwingtards, are the WRONG KIND of Leftwingtards for Obama's sensibilities.
Iran is saved for the moment.
The hikers were stupid to even be "close" to the border. Berkeley idiots.
well said.
Two words for the hikers...
Appalachian Trail
Now they are human shields.
This appears as if Secretary of State Hillary Clinton dropped the ball.
I ask, what exactly has Hillary Clinton accomplished as Secretary of State?
Not that their being taken and held is in any way OK, nor that our government shouldn't be taking much stronger measures to get them back.
For one thing, Imadinnerjacket should be persona non grata in the US while American citizens are being held. (Should be anyway IMO)
And that is the real secret the govt doesnt want you to know.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/25337138
It's about 2 kilometers from the Iranian border. But that is a rough 2 kilometers of steep uphill, rocky grades to a mountain ridge heavily patrolled by Iran.
The Iranian border patrol was at the grotto sightseeing and were happened upon by the three hikers. They then kidnapped the three hikers to keep from being reported to their own superiors and concocted a cover story that now has been expanded on to keep Iran from being embarrassed.
Bauer, Shourd, and Fattal go on trial for suspicion of spying and illegally entering Iran on November 6, at 1000 hours, Tehran time at Branch 15, Revolution Court, Tehran. Their attorney is Masoud Shafiee.
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