±«Óãtv

Excellent news that they have been released - when do we get to know the PRICE?

Not confronting? You can rely on Tony, within minutes he is re-writing history. To avoid, not the hand of history, but the international policeman's overdue feel for his collar.

I am delighted that Iran has released the 15 service personnel and think that this is a great victory for diplomacy. There will be tonight great relief for all of the families of those involved who can now look forward to their home coming. Although they have all been held for 13 days, I am pleased that great patience and care was taken by our Government which I think has resulted in the safe release of our service personnel. Iran was becoming more and more isolated which they recognised and wisely released them just in time for Easter. The timing of their release tells me that the Iranian Government knew what they were doing all along. Best present that their families could have hoped for this Easter. Hopefully they will all soon be reunited. Happy ending to this terrible situation for them all.

The Iran Hostage Crisis: I'm delighted, of course, that the captives are to be released, but I think the Prime Minister was quite right not to thank the Iranians: they shouldn't have been taken in the first place.

Some interesting snippets and insights tonight (as always) from Mark Urban. In particular, the information that the Iranians have recently been probing round the area of Iraq's oil terminals in the northern gulf. It gives the impression that they have been trying to ascertain what kind of reaction an intrusion would receive, and have used these probings to establish that they wouldn't be fired upon when it came to the seizure exercise itself. Further evidence that the whole episode was pre-meditated.

Given that the Iranians knew the people they had abducted were innocent, were not a threat to them, and were sufficiently disciplined not to do anything stupid, Iran's claims concerning their treatment seems nothing more than propaganda: had the captives been anything other than benign (and known to be so), I suspect their treatment could have been very different.

Dear Newsnight

Great news and just goes to show what diplomacy can do if allowed to

This is probably a bit unfiar, but I would have used different words to I'm glad, and tried to look a bit happy but the words about the people of Iran were spot on

anyhow whos Albert the Cat and mousey, is there some sort of coded message somewhere in their blog

best wishes
isnt it better that the Lion meows sometimes than roars?

I think the whole incident clarifies our suspicions of the fascism with the such staged propaganda observed. This has still confirmed the suspicions more clearly in my mind. Yes, the issue with Iran has reached a new stage. We now know the problem we are facing with much greater detail. There is greater justification for concern, but also greater hope for solutions. The relatively peaceful release shouldn't detract from the perils of passive aggression, but it does provide a grip on the contradictions of the regime. Questions can be asked, and the gullible can be converted. The timing, the water depth requiring dirigible deployment, the lack of clarity relating to the border coordinates. All open to conspiratory debate. And don't forget the emotional effect the captives would have felt by being captured and held for an indefinite time. The fear of this possibility is enough to make anyone express overt gratitude when such a prospect is denounced. Clearly a psychological engineering exercise. Dressing them in suits to make it feel like a special occasion. The Iranian regime is not to be underestimated. I do think the regime is underestimating its fascist success, and this is its weakness. It will get increasingly complacent, and then it will develop ridicule. Now is not the time to act. Wait for further audacity in the fascist propaganda. Act now and it confirms the bully's justification. Leave it, and it will become complacent. Let Ahmadinejad's ego grow to a great. Then we'll convert the ones who'll see how wrong the whole thing is. It's no Saddam Hussein. It does identify the weaknesses of America's civil treatment of Ahmadinejad, and the contrasting nature of civil dignities. This is a concern, and if one thing can be learnt from this, civil respect for human rights must be universal. We must not become hypocrites of these crimes. If anything we must see this as a cry for help. Help for the treatment of innocent captives at Guantanamo Bay. And help in stopping suicide bombings in the Middle East. Iranians and Iraqis. We must do all in our power to stop Iraqi attacks on Shias. Without this, we are hypocrites. We need to put it to Ahmadinejad and Iran that we suspect terrorist training camps are operating in Iran. We must be clear that we respect the peaceful use of nuclear power. We must be clear that close regulation with the international IAEA agency must be involved. We must not criticise them for their desire to a better way of life, we must help them in the best way of achieving it. Solar power towers may be a good alternative. The management of water resources must be looked at and evaluated for its merits. Alternative proposals must be suggested. Dialogue must be enhanced from this cry. Iran cannot be forgotten for their strategic position in the Middle Eastern problems. Now the problem is revealing itself, and the country has spoken, we can react in appropriate ways. As the wise have said, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. How is the best way to treat a bully. As a bullied youth, I'll tell you how to beat a bully, and it isn't by fighting. The fighting just plays into their hands. Keeping cool and passive restraint. I have been proud to be British in this. Maybe Blair was too confrontational, but it was right to be clear and not falter against the condemned incident. I am so glad I'm British, I'm afraid to say it, I'm glad I'm a Limey and not a Yank. Don't get me wrong, I love America and all that it stands for. But two wrongs don't make a right, and there are things that should respect. You must know your enemy.

Thank heavens this diplomatic storm in a tea cup is over-I thought I would die of boredom.Can we see some real news now?

I used to respect Paxman's interviewing techniques once but I think he really has become a farce of an interviewer of late. It all began with his ludicrous line of questioning with George Galloway after he won Bethnal Green and Bow and continues to last night's programme.

He gives a platform for the ex ambassador and parliamentarian to spout their propaganda and viewpoints even egging them on to make wider points and give more detailed answers. While on the other hand, he is dismissive of the Iranian and interrupts him, ignores him and derides him.

I was under the impression this was a news programme, not a naive programme. Why don't you approach critically the issues from both sides. You lapped up what the British government has put across yet have given no serious consideration of Iran's argument, that the waters are Iranian in the absence of any international agreement between Iraq and Iran.

Mark Urban's report was reasonably analytical and informative but he did miss out, or glossed over, two points. The first was the lecture about the West's injustices. Here Ahmadinejad made a strong argument for Iran's right to nuclear power and gave the backdrop to British-Iranian relations, which explain why Iranians are not very happy with the British navy lauding over Iranian waters. Secondly, the president also made a (albeit political) point about women on the front line. While Mark probably thought it was a cheap shot by Ahmadinejad, its very interesting because the president, word for word, has said exactly what many commentators have been saying in Britain about women on the front line. Furthermore, Iran showed they had great sympathy for the Faye Turney as a mother and a women, in direct contrast to the shallow (and bigoted) views pushed by the British government that they were exploiting her.

Unfortunately, Paxman just stormed through a potentially interesting debate about the whole affair. Paxman must be under the impression the viewers care more about his annoying interruptions and celebrity rather than the guests. He is wrong and in future, and Im sure you have heard this before, he should ask a question and listen to the answer. Even if that answer is not one he personally agrees with. That's professional journalisms. The days when his gimmicky style was fashionable and lauded died with the Major government.

It is for the king to be generous and the slave to be grateful. In the hostage story which are we? If we are the grateful are we not the slave?

I guess the iranians will keep the equipment again?

also Al Jazeera notes
>>Iranian state media also said five Iranian officials captured by US forces in northern Iraq in January were expected to receive their first visit by an Iranian diplomat soon.<<

no deals huh?

Susan wanders around the latest attractions in Jurassic Park. Why make gm medicine when you can make gm people and so remove the need for the medicine? Plants are living things and have rights?

I used to respect Paxman's interviewing techniques once but I think he really has become a very poor interviewer of late. It all began with his ludicrous line of questioning with George Galloway after he won Bethnal Green and Bow and continues to last night's programme.

He gives a platform for the ex ambassador and parliamentarian to spout their views, even egging them on to make wider points and give more detailed answers. While on the other hand, he is dismissive of the Iranian and interrupts him, ignores him and derides him.

I was under the impression this was a news programme, not a naive programme. Why don't you approach critically the issues from both sides? You lapped up what the British government has put across yet have given no serious consideration of Iran's argument, that the waters are Iranian in the absence of any international agreement between Iraq and Iran.

Mark Urban's report was reasonably analytical and informative but he did glossed over two points. The first was the lecture about the West's injustices. Here Ahmadinejad made a strong argument for Iran's right to nuclear power and gave the backdrop to British-Iranian relations, which explain why Iranians are not very happy with the British lording over Iranian waters. Secondly, the president also made a (albeit political) point about women on the front line. While Mark probably thought it was a cheap shot by Ahmadinejad, its very interesting because the president, word for word, has said exactly what many commentators have been saying in Britain about women on the front line. It also shoed Iran's sympathy for Faye Turney as a mother and a women, in direct contrast to the shallow (and bigoted) views pushed by the British government that they were exploiting her.

Conversely Paxman just stormed through a potentially interesting debate about the whole affair. Paxman must be under the impression the viewers care more about his annoying interruptions and celebrity rather than the guests. He is wrong and in future, and Im sure you have heard this before, he should ask a question and listen to the answer. Even if that answer is not one he personally agrees with. That's professional journalisms. The days when his gimmicky style was fashionable and lauded died with the Major government.

It is for the king to be generous and the slave to be grateful. In the hostage story which are we?

I guess the iranians will keep the equipment again?

also Al Jazeera notes
>>Iranian state media also said five Iranian officials captured by US forces in northern Iraq in January were expected to receive their first visit by an Iranian diplomat soon.<<

no deals huh?

Susan wanders around the latest attractions in Jurassic Park. Why make gm medicine when you can make gm people and so remove the need for the medicine? Plants are living things and have rights?

I used to respect Paxman's interviewing techniques once but I think he really has become a very poor interviewer of late. It all began with his ludicrous line of questioning with George Galloway after he won Bethnal Green and Bow and continues to last night's programme.

He gives a platform for the ex ambassador and parliamentarian to spout their views, even egging them on to make wider points and give more detailed answers. While on the other hand, he is dismissive of the Iranian and interrupts him, ignores him and derides him.

I was under the impression this was a news programme, not a naive programme. Why don't you approach critically the issues from both sides? You lapped up what the British government has put across yet have given no serious consideration of Iran's argument, that the waters are Iranian in the absence of any international agreement between Iraq and Iran.

Mark Urban's report was reasonably analytical and informative but he did glossed over two points. The first was the lecture about the West's injustices. Here Ahmadinejad made a strong argument for Iran's right to nuclear power and gave the backdrop to British-Iranian relations, which explain why Iranians are not very happy with the British lording over Iranian waters. Secondly, the president also made a (albeit political) point about women on the front line. While Mark probably thought it was a cheap shot by Ahmadinejad, its very interesting because the president, word for word, has said exactly what many commentators have been saying in Britain about women on the front line. It also shoed Iran's sympathy for Faye Turney as a mother and a women, in direct contrast to the shallow (and bigoted) views pushed by the British government that they were exploiting her.

Conversely Paxman just stormed through a potentially interesting debate about the whole affair. Paxman must be under the impression the viewers care more about his annoying interruptions and celebrity rather than the guests. He is wrong and in future, and Im sure you have heard this before, he should ask a question and listen to the answer. Even if that answer is not one he personally agrees with. That's professional journalisms. The days when his gimmicky style was fashionable and lauded died with the Major government.

It is for the king to be generous and the slave to be grateful. In the hostage story which are we? If we are the grateful are we not the slave?

I guess the iranians will keep the equipment again?

also Al Jazeera notes
>>Iranian state media also said five Iranian officials captured by US forces in northern Iraq in January were expected to receive their first visit by an Iranian diplomat soon.<<

no deals huh?

Susan wanders around the latest attractions in Jurassic Park. Why make gm medicine when you can make gm people and so remove the need for the medicine? Plants are living things and have rights?

As someone who has worked a great deal in cancer research I thought it was extremely wrong of Newsnight to talk of women waiting for smear tests as if for some awful procedure.The pain is no more than you might experience on a trip to the hairdressers and certainly a great deal less than you would ever experience on a routine visit to your dental hygienist.Most women do not feel any embarassment surrounding the test,because it would almost never be carried out by a male practitioner.

Now i know where to go if i need a new smart suit. Do i need a dingy and an out of date map first to qualify for one? or can i pay cash, £ or $.

When the UK sailors are finally back home and debriefed, if the sailors say they were treated well, which they have repeatedly suggested, Will the top brass and the powers that be, allow them to say as such to the media?
I cannot wait for the scrum for the stories, all the revelations and the up and coming Hollywood blockbuster, featuring Bruce Willis with Nicole Kidman playing able seaman Faye Turner.

Maybe the Iranians are not bogey men after all, and the real satan is in disguise, sat in some white house on top of a big hill somewhere, only kidding, but we could be proved wrong with the Iranians and maybe understanding your foe would be half way to having better relations with them rather than just throwing stones like the Bush loons do. Okey, its not as simple as all that and i agree with your shock at my naivety, but hey... John Lennon let yoko sing.

The sight of the captured seaman donned in suits compared to the orange jumpsuits we are all familiar with, gives a very stark contrast doesn't it. A propaganda coup for the Iranians that will have the US Bush administration wishing this story played out longer for the UK seaman. The orange jumpsuit point not missed by Jeremy, with the discusion that followed Mark Urbans report.
Thankfully the neocons were kept on their leash, which was also mentioned by one guest, including what could have been, with the John Bolton USA style of dealing with problems, a point well made i thought.

On a base level, what would you rather have, an orange jump suit with a cell, or to be fed well, with dignity intact to a degree and an Armani suit as a going away present on your last day before flying back home? have i bought into the propaganda? are we being manipulated into thinking that Iran are okey? well no harm in trying to improve relations with them after this particular incident, even if we can still be cynical about Irans motives and methods. we live in hope but holding your breath may prove difficult

No doubt, just good old fashioned diplomacy was the key in all of this, but Blairs statement which he gave outside number 10 with Margaret Beckett at his side seemed a bit odd i thought, he looked troubled and stumped considering the good news , maybe Tony was out bidded at the last minute on a keith Richards fender 1971 stratocaster guitar whilst he was on ebay , when the good news came through from Iran,.well you never know. The very soon book and lecture tours may give us an insight to where his head was, at that time, a full three pages i reckon.
.

As an Iranian I didn't find the whole issue helping our national interest or promoting our int'l image, after all the damage Ahmadinejad's government has done to it.
But I also cannot understand the over reaction from the British side: both the government and media (specially the ±«Óãtv). Iranian governement never asked for anything to release these sailors, and the British government denied any deals as well; so why the ±«Óãtv keeps calling them "hostages" and wants to go back to th 1979 story of American hostages?
Having lived in Britian when 9/11 and Iraq invasion happened, I used to think the Brits are fairer than their American cousins. But now I can see when something happens to themselves, they could be as arrogant and unfair as the Americans.

William #1
I'm in your last category in the single digits, the less than ten percent which favors military action, as strong as necessary to eliminate the Iranian threat once and for all and as soon as possible. Iran is not only a state supporter of terrorism, not only wants to "wipe Israel off the map," not only wants to establish a caliphate run from Teheran which would rule all of the Islamic world under its guidance, but is working to build nuclear weapons to destroy its greatest enemey, the one it calls "the great satan," the United States of America. How do we know? We've heard expert testimony that Iran has acquired equipment whose only possible function is for use in detonating nuclear weapons. Its clandestine nuclear development program including uranium enrichment is further evidence. Will we wait for conclusive evidence of a smoking gun? The smoke might be a mushroom cloud over New York City or Washington DC. Personally, I hope the top military brass and eventually President Bush himself will be in my single digit category. Could the Congress be dragged along kicking and screaming before Iran becomes a nuclear weapons power? Who knows, as long as the job gets done before it is too late.

Do not put women in the "front line" where hostilities are likely. Recent events have proved that they have NO worth whatsoever in this kind of environment!!!
Service personnel put Country FIRST & FOREMOST, not themselves and family. If they are not prepared to put up with the heat, they should NOT ENTER THE KITCHEN!!!!
Money for their stories???? PATHETIC.