Kidnappers Are Friendly, Thoughtful & Compassionate!

Or so says the female captive shown wearing a black scarf in a photo posted at the BBC website. I don’t blame Seaman Turney for her pathetic and illogical murmurings.  I would do the same if I were in her shoes.  She is either scared to death, or maybe suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. 

I do blame the BBC for reporting this PR stunt straight up, without skepticism or judgment:

There was separate footage of Leading Seaman Turney - wearing a black headscarf - smoking and speaking.

She said: "I was arrested on Friday March 23. Obviously we trespassed into their waters.

"They were very friendly and very hospitable, very thoughtful, good people.

"They explained to us why we had been arrested. There was no aggression, no hurt, no harm. They were very, very compassionate."”

         
If the kidnappers are so thoughtful and compassionate, why don’t they release all of the captives??
 

Comments

[Peter]

Patty

I don't blame the BBC for reporting this. I blame the scumbag regime that has stage-managed this whole incident from the start.

Unfortunately we can expect more of the same as the bastards milk this for all the propaganda they can get out of it.

[David Vance]

Patty,

I agree with you, but I also support Peter's comment. However the UK Government response has been SO pathetic, so spineless, that it is stunning. For Gods sake - let us sabre-rattle as a bare minimum. Iran will not be "embarrassed" by satellite images.

[Patty]

Peter: Yes, but the BBC is a willing participant in the propaganda stunt.

Just reporting what they see, you say?

Why does the BBC put the words "ambush" and "unacceptable" in quotes? Were the seamen not ambushed? And isn't this unacceptable?

Watch as the BBC continues to report on this. Will they call the kidnapping an act of war? I doubt it. Will they analize the kidnapping in the context of other such acts by the Iranians. Doubtful. Will they emphasize the "controversy" over the coordinates - as if the sailors are possibly to blame? - probably.

[alan]

Rubbish Patty - you must have been watching wearing different glases than me!
The BBC contrasted her demeanour in the Iranian video with their own video taken a few days before the incident.

[mahons]

Now can those who attacked the Geneva Conventions finally see why they are so crucial to assert a moral claim. The Iranians are clearly in violation.

[Patty]

Alan: I only read the article. But, having taken a step back, I agree with you in that I'm perhaps not seeing the BBC's reporting for what it is.The thing is that I am very concerned by this crisis because it is a test of the West's resolve and we are failing so far. The initial lack of media enthusiasm covering the kidnapping, and the wishy washy words of Blair and his spokesman make me afraid that Britain probably has neither the public support not the leadership available to fight back. This lack of fight will embolden our enemies, who - as you know - are seeking nuclear warheads.

[alan]

Despite all our obvious concerns I have absolutely no doubt that the gov is doing everything possible and in a reasonable manner to get them back safely. These matters are much better dealt with in a slowly escalating way. It will probably eventually involve a personnel exchange but that is much to be preferred to sending in the gunboats - which the 'right' is advocating but would probably shy away from if they had to make the decision.

[colm]

Sensible comment Alan. That is exactly how this will be resolved. Military action would do nothing at this point. However, once they are released it would be advisable for the UK and US to quietly but firmly tell Iran "Don't even think of trying this again. Our response will be very different if you attempt such a stunt once more".

[Ross]

We should prevent them from exporting any oil until they hand the sailers and marines back with their equipment and an apology. Any solution which rewards Iran for its piracy, such as making an exchange for the Iranians the USA legitimately arrested a few months ago, is not really a solution at all in the long term.

[Mr Smith]

Turned Turk or Stockholm syndrome? That's a bit of a limited selection, surely, Patty? Alternative theory: Someone off camera held up a gun aimed at her head, while someone else held up a script.

[Patty]

Colm (and Alan): "Sensible comment Alan. That is exactly how this will be resolved. Military action would do nothing at this point. However, once they are released it would be advisable for the UK and US to quietly but firmly tell Iran "Don't even think of trying this again. Our response will be very different if you attempt such a stunt once more".

You say military action will do nothing. But then what pray tell is going to make them release personnel they had no business taking in the first place? I think they respect strength. Anything less emboldens them. They played with the Carter Administration, and they are playing with the UK/US right now. Empty threats - "Don't do it again, or else!"-
Or else what? What am I missing?

What leverage do we have which will elicit a sensible and reasonable response from the Iranian Regime?

[alan]

International support- sanctions inc oil.
Threats will already have been made by the UK but we will not hear about them till resolution.
The US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other British allies have given support to Britain in demanding the release of the 15.

[Patty]

Alan: Do you think we should let them have nuclear weapons? If not, how will we stop them?

[The Phantom]

I just heard her speaking. I think she speaks in an unnatural way, a little slower she might normally, and that she in her own way might is doing what the crew of the hijacked USS Pueblo did when the North Koreans paraded them to the media.

Lets see what she says when she's home.

[steve]

I'd tell them the next time that happens the air space above iraq will be freed up to allow a certain counties warplanes, that will be carrying nuclear warheads to pass over unhindered. I'm sure they will think long and hard then!