Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=32557
Iranian Navy Seizes 15 British Sailors
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2007 – The British government is demanding the immediate and safe release of 15 sailors whose boats were surrounded by Iranian navy vessels and escorted into Iranian territorial waters in the Persian Gulf this morning.
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command officials said the Royal Navy sailors were engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters in support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 and the government of Iraq.
The boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when they and their two boats were surrounded, officials said.
The Iranian ambassador was summoned to the British Foreign Office, and the British government is demanding the immediate and safe return of their people and equipment, officials said.
Royal Navy forces operate as part of Combined Task Force 158. CTF 158’s mission is to maintain security and stability in Iraqi territorial waters and to protect the Iraqi oil terminals, under the U.N. mandate set out in the Security Council’s resolutions on Iraq.
CTF 158 is commanded by Royal Navy Commodore Nick Lambert and operates as one of three coalition task forces in the Combined Maritime Forces under the leadership of U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet.
(From a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command news release.)
http://off-topic.internet-haganah.com/archives/000931.html
March 22, 2007
"What's not to like about Dahlan?"
March 22, 2007
"SHURAT HADIN CONDEMNS US AND EU DECISIONS TO MEET WITH NEW PALESTINIAN SECURITY ADVISOR MOHAMMED DAHLAN"
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Dahlan is the key suspect in the bombing of an Israeli school bus in November 2000
Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center condemns the decision by the United States State Department and European Union governments to maintain diplomatic contacts with PLO officials in the new Palestinian Authority (PA) unity government. The newly stated policy includes the decision to meet with recently appointed PA Security Advisor Mohammed Dahlan, a high-ranking official of the Fatah terrorist organization."
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "* Dahlan and Abu Shabak are currently defendants in civil actions filed by the bus bombing victims and their families.
Shurat HaDin believes that maintaining contacts with and promoting an accused terrorist like Mohammed Dahlan, who has targeted Israeli school children, to bolster the so-called "moderate elements" in the new unity government ensures the continuation of the Palestinian Authority's strategy of criminal violence to advance their political goals. The dangerous message being sent is - you can attack Jewish school children and the US and EU will still label you a Palestinian moderate and clamor for your diplomatic involvement.
Shurat HaDin is calling on American and European law enforcement agencies to investigate the Kfar Darom School Bus bombing and undertake efforts to bring Dahlan and Abu Shabak to justice. Those who perpetrated the bombing of an Israel school bus and maimed young children are not acceptable partners for diplomatic efforts. The State Department and the EU must recognize that there is no difference between Dahlan and the other Palestinian Authority leaders from the Hamas who have also targeted Israeli buses."
Posted on 22 March 2007 @ 17:53 GMT