Iranian leader says he'll free Britons

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Let's all pray for world peace now and forever! Thanks Iran, It was the right decesion!

"Thanks, Iran"? "Gift to the British people"? What a joke.

I'd like to see them kidnap 15 Israeli marines, they'd be being bombed back to the stone age right about now.

word!! people need to stop kissing Iran's a$$.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

... W--who would, by having a ready excuse to invade Iran, get such.

Oh, it will happen - the only question is "when".

I only stated that it removes the EXCUSE for him--not necessarily the motivations.

It was a good excuse for Britain to invade - not so much for W...

Britains armed forces aren't up to snuff these days for that sort of unilateral expedition.

[almaty 19]

agreed..Britian was not going to do anything but diplomacy.

[Lisax 0]

TEHRAN, Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran would free the 15 detained British sailors and marines Wednesday as a "gift" to the British people.

He said the captives, who were seized while on patrol in the northern Persian Gulf on March 23, would be taken to Tehran airport at the end of the news conference that he was addressing.

However, an Iranian official said the captive British sailors and marines will be handed over to the British Embassy in Tehran.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's office says it welcomes the news.

"On the occasion of the birthday of the great prophet (Muhammad) ... and for the occasion of the passing of Christ, I say the Islamic Republic government and the Iranian people — with all powers and legal right to put the soldiers on trial — forgave those 15," Ahmadinejad said, referring to the Muslim prophet's birthday on March 30 and the Easter season.

"This pardon is a gift to the British people," he said.

His announcement came shortly after he pinned a medal on the chest of the Iranian coast guard commander who intercepted the sailors and marines.

Ahmadinejad said Iran will never accept trespassing in its territorial waters.

"On behalf of the great Iranian people, I want to thank the Iranian coast guard who courageously defended and captured those who violated their territorial waters," he said.

"We are sorry that British troops remain in Iraq and their sailors are being arrested in Iran," Ahmadinejad said.

He criticized Britain for deploying Leading Seaman Faye Turney, one of the 15 detainees, in the Gulf, pointing out that she is a woman with a child.

"How can you justify seeing a mother away from her home, her children? Why don't they respect family values in the West?" he asked of the British government

Source

A gift?? thank god they will be going home

Edited April 4, 2007 by Lisax

[mawilson 2,133]

agreed..Britian was not going to do anything but diplomacy.

Could have at least rattled some sabres at them -- "discussed" the possibility

of an armed invasion, hinted that "all options are on the table", or suddenly

increased our naval presence in the Gulf.

Such weakness is unbecoming of what was once a great Empire.

[almaty 19]

agreed..Britian was not going to do anything but diplomacy.

Could have at least rattled some sabres at them -- "discussed" the possibility

of an armed invasion, hinted that "all options are on the table", or suddenly

increased our naval presence in the Gulf.

Such weakness is unbecoming of what was once a great Empire.

they are gearing up to kick argentina azz again

[mybackpages 0]

"On the occasion of the birthday of the great prophet (Muhammad) ... and for the occasion of the passing of Christ,

I'm very confused by this language- Christ and his passing? I wonder how well this was translated.

[almaty 19]

"On the occasion of the birthday of the great prophet (Muhammad) ... and for the occasion of the passing of Christ,

I'm very confused by this language- Christ and his passing? I wonder how well this was translated.

Islam believes that Jesue(pbuh) was a prophet only and that he died on good friday and there was no miracle on easter....all prophets are honored in islam

[mybackpages 0]

"On the occasion of the birthday of the great prophet (Muhammad) ... and for the occasion of the passing of Christ,

I'm very confused by this language- Christ and his passing? I wonder how well this was translated.

Islam believes that Jesue(pbuh) was a prophet only and that he died on good friday and there was no miracle on easter....all prophets are honored in islam

no, thats just it. Muslims do not believe he died only that he was taken to heaven. so strange word to use "passing" and to refer to him as Christ? thats a purely Christian term refering to divinity of Jesus- again nothing a Muslim would use.

Edited April 4, 2007 by mybackpages

[almaty 19]

"On the occasion of the birthday of the great prophet (Muhammad) ... and for the occasion of the passing of Christ,

I'm very confused by this language- Christ and his passing? I wonder how well this was translated.

Islam believes that Jesue(pbuh) was a prophet only and that he died on good friday and there was no miracle on easter....all prophets are honored in islam

no, thats just it. Muslims do not believe he died only that he was taken to heaven. so strange word to use "passing" and to refer to him as Christ? thats a purely Christian term refering to divinity of Jesus- again nothing a Muslim would use.

i agree with you on that sister..no ther usual terms used...probably the writer was being a little creative

[ya falaha! 0]

The term "Christ" more refers to the fact that he is the Messiah...which Muslims believe.

From Wikipedia...

Christ is the English translation of the Greek word Χριστός (Christós), which literally means The Anointed One. It translates the Hebrew word מָשִׁיחַ (Mašíaḥ), usually transliterated Messiah.

[mybackpages 0]

The term "Christ" more refers to the fact that he is the Messiah...which Muslims believe.

From Wikipedia...

Christ is the English translation of the Greek word Χριστός (Christós), which literally means The Anointed One. It translates the Hebrew word מָשִׁיחַ (Mašíaḥ), usually transliterated Messiah.

Thanks Moody- and that translation does make more sense.

[Caladan 19]

And it's likely, if this good outcome was the result of diplomacy, that it's been framed in such a way to make sense to the West.

"Give us our sailors back. You know it was a mistake, we know it was a mistake, and you know the only likely path is war."

"Uh, we can't acknowledge that it was a mistake. Our people have only heard that the UK invaded, and will not be happy if we knuckle under."

"It's Easter on Sunday. Call it an Easter present."

"Mm, that might work."

Hence the talk of 'passing', just as the U.S. might decide to do some action out of respect for Ramadan or something, even though the U.S. doesn't recognize it as a holiday.

[Otto 83]

And it's likely, if this good outcome was the result of diplomacy, that it's been framed in such a way to make sense to the West.

"Give us our sailors back. You know it was a mistake, we know it was a mistake, and you know the only likely path is war."

"Uh, we can't acknowledge that it was a mistake. Our people have only heard that the UK invaded, and will not be happy if we knuckle under."

"It's Easter on Sunday. Call it an Easter present."

"Mm, that might work."

Hence the talk of 'passing', just as the U.S. might decide to do some action out of respect for Ramadan or something, even though the U.S. doesn't recognize it as a holiday.

Sure it was diplomacy - couldn't be that they (Iran) got the saber-rattling-mileage out of it they wanted and had to find a way out before it got really ugly...

A gift...? Owww..how thoughtful...Perhaps Iran would like a gift too....

[Caladan 19]

Probably. I'm not saying Iran is the good guy here, or deserves a present, just that this is pretty obviously a face-saving move for them, and a good outcome given the current situation.