The Cold Cut

The 15 British Navy Officers who supposedly strayed into Iranian waters 2 weeks ago have been in captivity, and on the front page of newspapers, for the last 13 days. And yet, after the whole ordeal, they were released yesterday with the assurance from Tony Blair that there had been absolutely no negotiations or side deals. It's good to know that the argument concerned was more important to the British Government than the lives of the 15 servicemen and woman: Tony Blair was more interested in denying the fact that the ship was in Iranian waters than making sure the captives were alive and well.

I find it very hard to believe that there was no deal to ensure the release of the prisoners. What else would explain the changes in their treatment throughout their stay in Iran? When they were captured, the sailors were lined up with loaded weapons cocked and aimed at them. To make things worse, they were each interrogated in turn and were told they would face several years in prison if they denied the accusation that they were in Iranian waters. Yet when they were released, each sailor was given an individual gift! Why the sudden change in heart? If anyone has any theories on this, I would like to hear them.