Intermarkets' Privacy Policy
Support


Donate to Ace of Spades HQ!



Recent Entries
Absent Friends
Bandersnatch 2024
GnuBreed 2024
Captain Hate 2023
moon_over_vermont 2023
westminsterdogshow 2023
Ann Wilson(Empire1) 2022
Dave In Texas 2022
Jesse in D.C. 2022
OregonMuse 2022
redc1c4 2021
Tami 2021
Chavez the Hugo 2020
Ibguy 2020
Rickl 2019
Joffen 2014
AoSHQ Writers Group
A site for members of the Horde to post their stories seeking beta readers, editing help, brainstorming, and story ideas. Also to share links to potential publishing outlets, writing help sites, and videos posting tips to get published. Contact OrangeEnt for info:
maildrop62 at proton dot me
Cutting The Cord And Email Security
Moron Meet-Ups






















« Tony Snow's Cancer Returns, Spreads To His Liver | Main | Major Car-Bombing Ring Rolled Up In Iraq »
March 27, 2007

Blair Threatens A "Different Phase" In Hostage Crisis If Diplomacy Fails: More Diplomacy

A "different phase" defined at the moment as something less than "extreme diplomatic action, such as expelling Iranian diplomats" and does not of course mean military action.

Still it does seem to indicate the Brits are getting more serious, but still, as is their wont, reluctant to "escalate" things.

Efforts to secure the release of 15 Royal Navy personnel held by Iran will enter a "different phase" if diplomatic moves fail, Tony Blair has said.

Downing Street said the UK could end up releasing evidence proving the group had not ventured into Iranian waters.

...

The prime minister's official spokesman said Mr Blair's remarks about a "different phase" did not refer to any extreme diplomatic action, such as expelling Iranian diplomats from Britain or military action.

"We have been clearly stating that we are utterly certain that the personnel were in Iraqi waters.

"We so far have not made explicit why we know that, because we don't want to escalate this."

Britain's former ambassador to Iran, Sir Richard Dalton, said "different phase" could mean generating pressure on Iran from the international community.

"I expect he means that we shall have to step up criticism and generate additional international pressures on Iran," he said.

Yeah, that'll do the trick.

"It could be that they think that by dramatising the fact that these people were taken on an international mission while in Iraqi waters even further, will give Iran pause and give them a chance to rethink."

...

"These people have to be released," the prime minister told GMTV.

"What we are trying to do at the moment is to pursue this through the diplomatic channels and make the Iranian government understand these people have to be released and that there is absolutely no justification whatever for holding them.

"I hope we manage to get them to realise they have to release them. If not, then this will move into a different phase."

...

"In the end, it is a question really for the Iranian government as to whether they want to abide by international law or not," he said.

Tough call for the Iranians, that.

Although I'm being sarcastic, I don't think it's time for Blair to start threatening military action, and his cautious phrasing is probably for the best. And the Iranians will, I think, release the sailors and marines, having made their "point," whatever that is.


digg this
posted by Ace at 01:03 PM

| Access Comments




Recent Comments
eleven: "So we sit back, relax, and watch dominoes fall? ..."

runner: "Now do Britain. Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at ..."

...: "Was it a time out? Because you are here. But this ..."

Heavy Meta: ">573 Barely 24h since election, 12h since confirme ..."

Capt. Hook: "surgery went well today! still one handed tho Pos ..."

Notorious BFD: "[i]Makes it easier for the fellas to avoid crazy. ..."

gKWVE: "I second lX8VI / "...", this is a moron in better ..."

Dave in Fla: "Nurse - I swear I will sit in a chair or something ..."

Piper: "583 I got banned but I don't believe I posted on ..."

[/i][/b]andycanuck (hovnC)[/s][/u]: "Oilfield Rando @Oilfield_Rando 4h The proper pron ..."

A Gen Z: " Bezos sounds like Eddie Haskell kissing up to Mrs ..."

eleven: ""Barely 24h since election, 12h since confirmed Tr ..."

Recent Entries
Search


Polls! Polls! Polls!
Frequently Asked Questions
The (Almost) Complete Paul Anka Integrity Kick
Top Top Tens
Greatest Hitjobs

The Ace of Spades HQ Sex-for-Money Skankathon
A D&D Guide to the Democratic Candidates
Margaret Cho: Just Not Funny
More Margaret Cho Abuse
Margaret Cho: Still Not Funny
Iraqi Prisoner Claims He Was Raped... By Woman
Wonkette Announces "Morning Zoo" Format
John Kerry's "Plan" Causes Surrender of Moqtada al-Sadr's Militia
World Muslim Leaders Apologize for Nick Berg's Beheading
Michael Moore Goes on Lunchtime Manhattan Death-Spree
Milestone: Oliver Willis Posts 400th "Fake News Article" Referencing Britney Spears
Liberal Economists Rue a "New Decade of Greed"
Artificial Insouciance: Maureen Dowd's Word Processor Revolts Against Her Numbing Imbecility
Intelligence Officials Eye Blogs for Tips
They Done Found Us Out, Cletus: Intrepid Internet Detective Figures Out Our Master Plan
Shock: Josh Marshall Almost Mentions Sarin Discovery in Iraq
Leather-Clad Biker Freaks Terrorize Australian Town
When Clinton Was President, Torture Was Cool
What Wonkette Means When She Explains What Tina Brown Means
Wonkette's Stand-Up Act
Wankette HQ Gay-Rumors Du Jour
Here's What's Bugging Me: Goose and Slider
My Own Micah Wright Style Confession of Dishonesty
Outraged "Conservatives" React to the FMA
An On-Line Impression of Dennis Miller Having Sex with a Kodiak Bear
The Story the Rightwing Media Refuses to Report!
Our Lunch with David "Glengarry Glen Ross" Mamet
The House of Love: Paul Krugman
A Michael Moore Mystery (TM)
The Dowd-O-Matic!
Liberal Consistency and Other Myths
Kepler's Laws of Liberal Media Bias
John Kerry-- The Splunge! Candidate
"Divisive" Politics & "Attacks on Patriotism" (very long)
The Donkey ("The Raven" parody)
Powered by
Movable Type 2.64