Even though some spin-masters will not agree, the release of the British marines and sailors by Iran is an obvious victory for Iran.
This was badly handled by the British: Blair was furious and tried to play hardball. He ran to the UN Security Council only to be asked "What borders are you talking about?" Then he wanted the Europeans to put up economic pressure: "What for?" they ask.
Only when the Iranian top negotiator gave an interview to UK’s Channel 4 and talked about an obvious diplomatic solution did Blair climb down.
The U.S. freed one Iranian, and 5 others detained in Iraq were given access to the Red Cross and probably to Iranian diplomats too. Of course there was no call from Bliar to Bush to make this happen …
An interesting sidenote is again the difference in reporting in various media.
Is Ahmadinejad’s mentioning of Passover regarded as not welcome by some?
In his press conference, Ahmadinejad said, "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," he said, referring to the Muslim prophet’s birthday on March 30 and the Easter holiday. "This pardon is a gift to the British people," he said.
Christian Science Monitor: Lessons learned: Iran’s release of British prisoners
"On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the great prophet of Islam, and on the occasion of Easter and Passover, I would like to announce that the great nation of Iran, while it is entitled to put the British military personnel on trial, has pardoned these 15 sailors and gives their release to the people of Britain as a gift."
BBC: Excerpts: Ahmadinejad announces release
But then came the theatrical flourish, the rabbit up his showman’s sleeve. "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," he said, referring to the Muslim prophet’s birthday on March 30 and the Easter holiday. "This pardon is a gift to the British people."
The Guardian: Ahmadinejad switches guises from demagogue to showman
The gesture, which Ahmadinejad termed a "pardon," was being made to mark the prophet Muhammad’s birthday on March 30 and the upcoming Easter holiday, he said.
Washington Post: Iran Releases 15 Captive Britons
On the thirteenth day of the crisis, President Ahmadinejad kept a global audience in suspense for nearly two hours with a rambling monologue about religion and Britain’s history of meddling in his country’s affairs. Then without explanation he announced that his 15 British captives would be set free as a “gift” to mark the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Easter and for good measure the Jewish festival of Passover.
London Times: Iran captives ‘freed’ after costume drama
"On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the great prophet of Islam, and on the occasion of Easter and Passover, I would like to announce that the great nation of Iran, while it is entitled to put the British military personnel on trial, has pardoned these 15 sailors and gives their release to the people of Britain as a gift," Ahmadinejad said.
LA Times: Iran frees 15 British sailors and marines
"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," he said, referring to the Muslim prophet’s birthday last Saturday and Easter, next Sunday.
Ynetnews: Ahmadinejad says Iran to free British soldiers
This reminds one of the distorted "wipe israel off the map" translation – something Ahmedinejad has never said.
There is a good fact filled comment on this and the general Iran issue in the Guardian.
In other news some Brits were not so lucky: Roadside bomb hits British troops in Basra
Four British soldiers have been killed in a roadside bomb attack in the Shia stronghold of Basra in southern Iraq.
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The deaths bring the number of British soldiers killed in Iraq this week to six, making it one of the deadliest for British forces since the US-led invasion in 2003.