U.S. may soon free 5 Iranians

[maddezmom]

Source: LATimes

Releasing the men held in Iraq on suspicion of aiding rebels would help smooth ties and might help win release of four U.S. citizens in Iran.
By Paul Richter and Alexandra Zavis, Times Staff Writers
June 9, 2007


WASHINGTON — Five Iranians imprisoned by U.S. forces in Iraq since January will probably be released in the next few weeks, according to some U.S. and Iraqi officials, a development that could help ease months of escalating conflict between Washington and Tehran.

The Iranians, who were seized on suspicion of spying during a raid in Irbil, in northern Iraq, are up for a six-month review of their cases at the end of June, the officials said.

The officials emphasized that no decision had been made, but said the review offered an opportunity to resolve an issue that has been a point of contention between the Bush administration and the regime in Tehran, and also a source of tension with U.S. allies in the Iraqi government.

The Iranians' release would make it more likely that the recently started U.S.-Iranian dialogue on Iraq would continue. It could also encourage Iran to release four Iranian Americans, who hold citizenship in both countries, being held in Tehran on allegations of spying, Middle East experts said.


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-usiran9jun09,1,7896937.story?track=rss

[libodem]

1. That was bogus

how we grabbed those Iranians. Didn't we snatch them out of their embassy? Or did we run over on to their side and grab them? Oh my God, I don't know what I'm talking about. Oops. Sorry, I really don't remember the story, but it seemed fishy at the time. That's how I like to back my stories. Seemed fishy. Oh, yeah, I heard Glenn Beck, saying how the Americans, did this and such to the Iranians and that it would be fool hearty indeed to believe any thing the Iranians said. I knew then. It was just he was lying, so badly. Let's make nice in Iraq. Food boxes for every family twice a week. Lets clear the Army out of the Neighborhoods. The citizens have to need medical care after all the bombings. Feed the hungry. Pass out water. Get the boys on those nice safe bases.

[Kagemusha]

2. It was a consulate in the process of being accredited but not yet having been

See, it was the consulate in Kurdistan when Saddam was still in charge so it had no legal status in Iraq proper. They were the guests of the Kurdish heavy hitters including the Iraqi President, Talibani - which the US completely ignored.

[sutz12]

3. But we don't negotiate with terrorists, right?

Unless you're a republican, of course. :evilgrin:

Well, maybe that will get our people back.

[The Stranger]

4. Three posts on LBN about Iran, yet nothing about the U.S. holding five Iranians hostage.

Hmmmmmmmm.

[maddezmom]

5. isn't this about the 5 hostages?

:shrug:

[The Stranger]

6. Check the LBN board again -- more Iranian posts (even its envoy cancelling a meeting?), but nothing

about the fact that the U.S. is holding Iranian diplomats.

:shrug: