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War with Iran May Start over Sailors
Iranian authorities announced yesterday that they will not release British soldier Faye Turney, even though they had promised to do so the day before. Turney was seized along with 14 other soldiers a week ago in the Persian Gulf. Secretary of the Supreme National security Council of Iran Ali Larijani blamed British “wrong behavior” for the change of heart. The British government is claiming that the seizure took place in Iraqi territorial waters and is demanding their immediate release.
Iranian television showed Turney and other British soldiers on Wednesday. She was wearing a scarf on her head, smoked and looked nervous. She stated that they had explained why they were taken into custody and that “obviously we trespassed into their waters.”
Iranian authorities stated in that program that Turney would be released, but Britain continued to insist that the incident took place in Iraqi waters and was, therefore, illegal. The British public is growing increasingly displeased with the situation. Three years ago, a similar incident took place when the Iranians seized eight British sailors. London is thus forced by public opinion to use a harsh tone in its dealings with Iran.
Experts see the boiling point nearing. The U.S. 5th Fleet began exercises in the Persian Gulf this week with two aircraft carriers. The website Debka, which is closely tied to Israeli intelligence, has even said that the first strike will occur on April 6 and will last 12 hours, with Iran's nuclear facilities being the main targets. Israel began a war in Lebanon last year over a single hostage soldier.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Mar. 30, 2007
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