Posted on 06/21/2004 7:24:52 AM PDT by kattracks
Does a state of war exist between GB and Iran? N Kor and the US, sure, and maybe the US and Iran.
This may have been done to create a pretext for entering Iraq on the land -- to link up with likes of Sadr.
"Does a state of war exist between GB and Iran?"
LoL. Nope. The Brits are trying to negotiate business deals with Iran.
Now that is real interesting!
One of Saddam's stated reasons for initiating the Iran-Iraq war was that Iran was denying him access to the Gulf by claiming all of the Shatt-al Arab waterway. The cease fire agreement placed the border down the middle of the main channel, allowing both sides access. Shortly before the beginning of hostilities under Operation Iraqi Freedom, Saddam Hussein deeded the entire waterway back to Iran's sole control. I think Britain is, legally and only on paper, in the wrong here. There are principles such as adverse possession that may have bearing here, if Iran has never before attempted to enforce control since Saddam gave it back. I also do not recall whether Iran officially accepted Saddam's offer, or legally took possession after the gift was offered, as there was some implied quid pro quo support inherent with Saddam's gift. This was about the same time as when Saddam released Kuwaiti POWs and made other concessions in attempts to rally support against the Coalition.
Bottom line, Britian will probably negotiate unless Iran tries to milk this too much.
In the broad view, I believe that Iran suspects hostile intentions from a second term Bush administration and is attempting to force the issue prior to the election. In any event, siezing the British boats hasn't lenghtened the term in power expectancies of any of the Ayatollahs, Mullahs or officials.
I think this whole episode is a non-issue, and will be resolved shortly. I've thought that since it was reported early this morning. But I do think the Iranians may have sabotaged Iraq's pipeline. And it doesn't mean that Iran can't have clandestine activity going on that they'd like other's to keep their noses out of.
Here's your mediation: You have 12 hours to return all troops unharmed before Tehran is glass.
The North Koreans didn't take us seriously then nor should they have. They held the crew of the Pueblo for about 10 months as we blustered around . Then a few months after the release of the Pueblo crew our spy plane EC-121 violated north Korea’s air space. They shot it down and killed the crew. More blustering by us.
When they get a good nuclear setup they will be less impressed with us. - tom
In other times it could have been a non-issue, but thumbing their nose at us while the people here are angry over the beheadings, and our government is angry over their nuclear programs, is either bad timing, a sign of significant hostility on their part, part of an overall increase in maritime security, air defense, or both, or perhaps a combination of all the above.
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