Friday 30th March - LIVE
Hello everyone, it's Hasit here at World Have Your Say. Tonight we talked about the standoff between Iran and Britain over the capture of British naval personnel. Now the European Union has got involved, demanding their release, and the Iranians have broadcast yet another 'confession' from one of the crew. We also talked about Heather Mills - Sir Paul McCartney's estranged wife is doing really well as a dancer on American TV, despite losing part of her leg in an accident. And finally, is a giant chocolate Jesus offensive?
First up, Iran and the UK:
Kiru in Jamaica:
"This situation is no good for anyone involved. Iran doesn't gain a thing, and neither does the UK. Both sides need to dial back the egos."
Steve in USA:
"What is diplomatic about showing pows on television? Forcing them to make statements, and making the female one wearing a head cover?"
John and Linda, Minnesota, USA:
"Britain should involve the world in the problem, but I feel she should go to war if all of her personnel are not unconditionally released immediately. I feel Iran will release them because it does not want a war, but influence in the region. They are gambling that the world community will not permit the West, i.e. America or Britain to attack them. Talking is a waste of time. Action will guarantee the life and safety of prisoners."
Kim Olson:
"Please, there is no reason why Men should be able to serve on the front line and women shouldn't. We can handle everything that a man can handle, don't start with this ridiculous debate again."
Jason, Portland, USA:
"Iran has a napoleon complex. The only thing these people understand is force. Make Iran sorry for what it has done. They're cowards."
Riz in Sydney:
"People are talking about the Geneva Convention when it comes to Iran. I really wonder why that doesn't apply to other nations violating it."
Sanusi from Prague:
"They should use diplomatic means to settle the issue. Instead of involving UN and EU"
Paul Leslie, Michigan, USA:
"When are we as a global community going to recognize that Iran is a country that is going to need to be dealt with at some point. In 1979 Iran takes Americans captive for over 400 days; Iran supports terrorist organizations in Lebanon which has caused much unrest in that country; Iran is in process of building Nuclear weapons; they are told to stop by the U.N. and they just thumb their nose at the global community and now they kidnap 15 British soldiers and display them on television."
Tanweer in London:
"I believe that the British Govt should apologise and get the sailors back. It is true that Iran is provoking the West. I also believe that they are ready for any attack. They want to drag the Americans and Brits into Iran and give them a good beating"
Gerritt in Portland:
"The assumption has to be that Iran is correct because Britian has changed the debate to treatment, not location of the vessel. Does that justify potentially coerced statements and TV exposure. Or a media feeding frenzy? No, of course not! Of course, as an American and general prisoner of the corrupt Bush administration who am I to talk?"
Madison in Virginia:
"Is attacking and invading Iraq in line with international law? Is this civilized behavior? How about the dodgy dossiers conjured up in the race to invade country. And then, how about British colonies? Was that a civilizing influence?"
Mohammed in Nigeria:
"It is very clear that the British soldiers are at fault. But iran is being blamed because it is a Muslim nation"
Robin in Portland:
"The US and Britain can no longer claim the moral high ground in matters of holding prisoners without pressing charges. We in the US engage in the same practices that shock us when our enemies engage in them."
Bruce Grey in Sydney:
"Iran is like any other rogue regime including Nazi Germany - they lie, manipulate and taunt their victims"
Abdeliah:
"Should UK internationalize the dispute? This seems to be the best answer. It should first take all the possible legal and diplomatic channels before embarking on any "serious" action. This can be an opportunity, if diplomacy works, for both sides to soften their positions and bring this crisis to an end."
Kale from Kampala:
"Iran has never been a civilised nation. They have been cruel since time immemorial."
Hassan from Freetown
"Did I hear Iran accusing Britain's behaviour as a nineteenth century super power? What about them acting as Al Qaeda or any terrorist group?"
Karo Umukoro, Nigeria.
"I am not offended at any portrait or artistic impression of Jesus, since no one really knows how Jesus looks like."
Karta Yu Tema, Ghana.
"Hello ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, I would like to know why the UK and the EU are not treating the British servicemen's case as an abduction?"
Anon from Gambia
"Britain must apologise to Iran to pave way for the release of its prisoners as they confessed, obviously trespassed into Iranian waters. Questioning the authenticity of the naval personnel confessions is hypocritical compared to the Pentagon's releasing of false confessions from innocent captives at Hell Bay in Cuba where video footage was not shown. The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ must stop this bias reporting or else listeners shall soon be convinced by Mugabe's allegations against you."
Bwaya in Uganda
"UK & EU must know that Iran is a sovereign state! UK must apologise and promise Iran it won't happen again. Blair, it's time to be straight."
P Chinthuli in Malawi
"The likes of Blair and Bush will never spend a penny on apologies. This shows that they are far from saying sorry to Iran for the alleged trespass."
Karo Umukoro
"I don't know why Britain feels arrogant to apologise to Iran despite trespassing. Yet they want to be peacemaker around the world!"
.From Moses in Benin City,Nigeria
"I wonder why the hullabaloo about British terrorists captured in Iranian waters.They should be kept in an Iranian version of the Guantanamo Bay until they are tried under Iranian anti-terrorism law"
Dingiswayobanda,Malawi.
"The Iranians want to win public sympathy in the UK for the detained marines. Hence pressure will increase on BLAIR to withdraw from IRAQ."
John in Nigeria
"Iran is the next problem in the Middle East."
Joy in Oregon, USA:
"Someone was obviously where they should not have been. If it wasn't the Brits, then it was the Iranians. Why isn't anyone making an issue of the Iranians being in territorial waters not their own if the Brits are telling the truth about their location when captured?"
Taylor in Australia:
"Let the sailors go. Complain to the UN if you can prove what you are saying and then let the International community decide."
Dr Affia in Nigeria:
"Iranians are a people that can easily be irritated into war especially with the western world.The British should handle them WISELY"
Jack in Cleveland:
"No amount of technological proof of where the sailors were abducted will change Iranian policy.Tony Blair should offer the world a choice: Suspend trade with Iran and continue banking in London or trade with Iran and bank in Tehran."
Next we talked about Heather Mills:
John in Cleveland:
"Yes, we in the U.S. unfortunately know who this spotlight hogging, gold digging, wannabe is. How else do you explain her on a reality show even if it's for "charity"?"
Steve in USA:
"Heather Mills will be an inspiration for American women who are incredibly materialistic and intiate the vast majority of divorces, and the divorce rate is over 50% now."
Andrew in Australia:
"I don't know the woman, but she is certainly making the most of her new found celebrity status. She lost a leg.. so?"
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