Iran takes hostages, Bush calls it inexcusable

It's about time U.S. President George W. Bush commented on the 15 British sailors and marines that were taken hostage by Iran. In a word, he said it was "inexcusable" and that Tehran must release them immediately.

"The British hostage issue is serious because the Iranians took these people out of Iraqi water. It's inexcusable behavior. I strongly support the Blair government's attempts to resolve this peacefully," he said, referring to British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"I support the prime minister when he made it clear there were no quid pro quos. The Iranians must give back the hostages. They're innocent," Bush said.

Tony Blair has been a true friend to President Bush and to the United States in this war against Islamic terrorists and Bush, even though slow in his statements, is standing by Blair.

According to this report, Bush did not answer a question about whether the United States would have reacted militarily if those captured had been Americans, and would not comment about Britain's options if Iran does not release the hostages, but he seemed to reject any swapping of the British captives for Iranians detained in Iraq.

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Comments

[Debbie]

Jersey, That's very interesting. Unless I'm wrong, the event in Karbala (Kerbala) where the 5 Americans were abducted by the terrorists dressed in coalition uniforms, using coalition weapons, and speaking English, ... was actually conducted by Iranians.

The Americans were shot in the head a few miles down the road and left with the SUV's. A laptop was also stolen.

[Jersey]

Hey Debs,
I found something you may find interesting - there has already been at least one known attempt to kidnap American troops; and let's just say we reacted a bit different than the Brits. It's here, towards the end of this post:

http://jerseynut.blogspot.com/2007/03/west-moves-against-iran.html

[Debbie]

As to Pelosi and Ellison's trip to Syria, it doesn't matter if they are Democrats of Republicans or Independents, or Greenies. They should not be there.

It's not safe for one, for two Syria is assisting Iran in all kinds of mischief which is harmful to America and the west, including Israel.

And three, the White House, State Department, etc. advised them not to go for several reasons. I don't care who they are, they should not be in Syria.

As to attacking Iran, I don't think it's necessary. We have enough ships etc. that we could cordon off their shipping lanes, etc. and punish them that way, if diplomacy fails.

On diplomacy, I don't see that the Iranians are interested in diplomacy, unless it gets the heat off their nuclear programs, which is not going to happen.

[nanc]

they're handily calling it a "fact-finding mission" - it's not good enough that bombs killing our soldiers have iran via syria's names all over them.

[nanc]

they visited the western wall according to arutz sheva and ellison plans on going to the temple mount today! what gall!

[Stormwarning]

Regarding Pelosi's trip:

Just what is the difference between Pelosi's "violation" and that of Representatives Frank Wolf (Republican, Virginia), Joe Pitts (Republican, Pennsylvania) and Robert Aderholt (Republican, Alabama)?

http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=5792
http://www.sana.org/eng/21/2007/03/31/110810.htm

"The White House questioned the point of Pelosi's trip and her apparent intention to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

"As you know, we discourage members of Congress to make such visits to Syria,"link text Perino said. "I don't know what she's trying to accomplish."

"I know that Assad probably really wants people to come and have a photo opportunity and have tea with him, and have discussions about where they're coming from, but we do think that's a really bad idea," she said."
http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=5729

What was the point of the trip of Congressmen Wolf, Pitts and Aderholt?

[Stormwarning]

Should Iran be invaded? The simple answer is, "not until all other options have been exhausted" I say this even though we know that Iran is paying for bombings in Iraq.

The U.S. and its Coalition allies (the UK and other NATO states) already fight a two front war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Dismissing the rhetoric, other "flashpoints" now include Syria/Lebanon, Israeli where Hamas/Fatah/Saudi Arabia continue to press to concessions, Somalia (where the Islamic Courts Union has regenerated and a violent insurgency ensues), Pakistan (where one cleric has given the government a week to enact Sharia law), North Korea (I still think that Kim Jong Il has been playing the nuclear extortion game), and a few other smouldering embers.

Make concessions? I think not! Allow diplomacy the time to work. Frankly, to not do so is a "fools game." We (and the World) cannot win a multi-front shooting war...certainly not without the reinstatement of a DRAFT, and not without the risk of conflagration.

[Thomas]

Should the US Attack Iran?
Please cut and paste following link:
http://the-independent13.blogspot.com/2006/09/should-us-attack-iran.html

[JR]

In Israel, when they have soldiers kidnapped, seemingly nothing is done. May they be protected by the Almighty.

I hope the same doesn't happen to the British soldiers.
I don't think the rest of the world gives a damn about the people, they probably thinks it's there own fault for being in the area...

[Debbie]

nanc, you got it right. Pelosi AND Ellison are in the Middle East. Wonder why Dhimmi Pelosi took Ellison along? And against the White House, and State Department.

We haven't heard anything from the hate America crowd about the hostages.

[nanc]

meanwhile...in the middle east, pelosi and crew are visiting syria to strengthen diplomatic ties...without a freakin' word about these hostages!

the world is upside down, debbie - the blood is rushing to our heads!

[Angel]

youre so right Deb...the whole world should speak up and the UK should ACT up!