Iran condoles with US, Indian crew of shuttle -distinguishes between political row & scientific

irna ^

[chance33_98]

Iran condoles with US, Indian crew of shuttle Columbia

Tehran, Feb 1, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi expressed regret over the explosion of the Columbia Space Shuttle over the US skies and expressed condolences with the family members of its US and Indian crew.

Iran distinguishes between Iran-US political row and scientific, and humanitarian issues Asefi said, expressing hope that such unfortunate events will not deter scientific centers from their attempts to explore the undiscovered secrets of the creation.

The space shuttle Columbia appeared to explode and break up in the skies over Texas on Saturday with seven astronauts on board after it lost contact with NASA minutes before its scheduled landing.

NASA warned local residents not to approach debris on the ground in the Dallas-Fort Worth area because of the shuttle's poisonous propellant.

Eyewitnesses reported debris scattered across northern Texas with residents coming across pieces in fields and on roads, including what appeared to be a door from the orbiter.

Dramatic television images of the shuttle's descent showed several white trails in the blue sky, which pointed to the breakup of the shuttle because normally only a single trail is visible, experts said.

[MadIvan]

So far the only disgusting government response I've seen came from Iraq and a French pilot. Go figure

It says a great deal that Iran is showing more class than DU.

Regards, Ivan

[CWOJackson]

I don't know whether to laugh or to cry about that. Amazing how far western some of Europe has fallen.

[JohnHuang2]

So far the only disgusting government response I've seen came from Iraq and a French pilot. Go figure.

Ironically, it does 'figure'.

[chance33_98]

There's nothing wrong with the vast majority of the Iranian people; their government is what is unfortunate about them.

Indeed, I follow them fairly closely and feel that there is a great deal of hope for them. DU however is another matter :)

[JohnHuang2]

Jayne, #21 gets my Quote-of-the-Day nomination, hands-down.

[MadIvan]

Well the difference between DU and Iran is this - Iran's kids want to embrace American culture and freedoms as quickly as they can. DU's people want to diss and ditch them as quickly as they can.

Regards, Ivan

[Mo1]

I think this needs repeating

It says a great deal that Iran is showing more class than DU.

[MadIvan]

Even Cuba is showing more class than DU.

Regards, Ivan

[weegee]

Check the threads linked by keyword. Some other nations appear to have also set aside political differences.

A real shame that some nations did not react this way to the 9/11 attack (even some "friendly" nations said that we deserved "it").

I also have a question. Does anyone know the religion of the woman who was born in India? I did not see it in her bio. She could be Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or something else.

There has been a lot of focus on the Israeli astronaut onboard but some muslims have difficulties with people of other faiths as well.

I'm not trying to give any hint to a conspiracy by passengers or directed at "targets" on the shuttle; I am trying to put world press (and more specifically middle eastern/pakistani press) in perspective with regards to the astronauts' backgrounds.

I know that 2 of the astronauts were Christians at a church in the Clear Lake area but I see no reason to give further details.

[IndianChief]

The Indian astronaut (cosmonaut) you recall is Wing Commander (?) Rakesh Sharma who orbited with the Russians in a Soyuz.

He , in an interview with the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi , said that the earth looked very beautiful and he cound not see any borders from there. ( I do not remember the precise words). He was the first Indian in Space.

Kalpana Chawla , though an American citizen, is considered here to be the second. All of India grieves for the Shuttle crew.

[CWOJackson]

Thanks.

[RJayneJ]

Thanks for the nomination! };^D)