It would appear that all the sabre rattling by the Bush Administration has been just that. If there was a contingency to attack as soon as provoked, they certainly would have found sufficient provocation. Blair would have certainly accomodated them.
I would not discount the Bush Administration retaining a military option. At least some cooler heads have prevailed. I'm sure the neo-cons were screaming.
And Iran did not get all they wanted. They got access to the diplomats seized at Irbril, but their former prime minister has not reappeared. But Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary at Iran’s mission in Baghdad, was released by unknown armed men, likely Iraqi Intelligence, "affiated" with the CIA. That probably means doing the CIA's bidding. Mr. Sharafi was seized more than eight weeks ago. Holding a diplomat is a violation of international law, akin to the Iranian hostage drama of the Carter Administration.
washingtonpost.com
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today said he had pardoned 15 British sailors seized by the Iranian military two weeks ago and would free them today to be with their families.
In a Tehran press conference Ahmadinejad first decorated members of the Republican Guards who had taken the 15 British personnel captive -- then announced that the British personnel would be released.
"After our meeting they will go to the airport and be with their families," the Iranian president said, according to a translation of the press conference aired on CNN.
The release comes in the midst of intense diplomatic contacts. In addition, in recent days Iraqi authorities released an Iranian diplomat held in Iraq. The Islamic Republic News Agency also reported that Iranian personnel would be allowed to meet with five Iranian men taken by U.S. forces late last year in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil.
No comments:
Post a Comment