- 3 February 2010
- 4 Comments
- Diplomacy, Events in Iran, Human Rights in Iran
Bartering Prisoners? Ahmadinejad hints at detained hikers’ release.
3 February 2010 Posted By Nayda Lakelieh
The Associated Press reports (via Washingtonpost.com) Ahmadinejad has hinted at the possible release of three jailed US hikers… in exchange for Iranians currently serving time in US prisons.
“There are some talks under way to have an exchange, if it is possible,” he said. “Recently they (the U.S.) have sent messages, we answered to bring them (the Iranians), to bring these people (the hikers). We are hopeful that all prisoners to be released.”
No specific Iranian prisoners were mentioned by Ahmadinejad, but he had previously released a list of 11 Iranians believed to be detained in the US. The list, released in December, includes a nuclear scientist that had disappeared in Saudi Arabia, an Iranian arrested in Canada on charges of trying to obtain nuclear technology, and a former Defense Ministry official who vanished in Turkey.
“I had said I would help in releasing them, but the attitude of some of U.S. officials damages the job,” said Ahmadinejad. “There are a large number of Iranians in prison in the U.S. They have abducted some of our citizens in other countries.”
Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal are all UC Berkeley graduates that were detained 6 months ago on accounts of “suspicious aims” while hiking in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region. Their families state that the three accidentally crossed the border into Iran, but Ahmadinejad disputes this, stating that there were “indications they knew they were crossing into Iran.”
In late December, Iran’s foreign minister said that the three US detainees would be tried in court, but failed to mention any specific charge or when the trial would actually begin.
4 Responses to “Bartering Prisoners? Ahmadinejad hints at detained hikers’ release.”
Nayda, it was interesting to note that in recently published photos covering today’s aerospace displays during the 10-Day Dawn ceremonies, certain Iranian scientists were seen taking the precaution of wearing respirator/surgical masks to protect their identities.
The concern of foreign abduction or foreign assassination is very real today for Iran’s prominent scientists.
This is not the first time that Americans were captured and held in Iran. Not that long ago, Iranian American Journalist Roxana Saberi was caught and detained in Iran on charges of spying for the US. Secretary of State and the US Government appealed to the Iranian Government and her sentence was cut short. She was released on ‘good faith’ as the Iranians put it.
This has always been a cat and mouse game with the Iranians, they capture or harass american or European citizens. Then they negotiate out of a position of strength in an attempt to get the Americans to concede a few things. This helps them in two ways: first they can claim power over the USA in terms of propaganda, second, they can claim that they negotiated with the US in ‘good faith’ and that they did us a ‘gracious favor’ etc etc. They have and will try to show that they are the ones being reasonable and the US is being a bully with them on the international stage.
It has not worked before, it will not work this time. And if anything it will wedge a even greater distance between the two nations, and derail any if not all hopes of reconciliation between Iran and the USA.
This is not the first time that Americans were captured and held in Iran. Not that long ago, Iranian American Journalist Roxana Saberi was caught and detained in Iran on charges of spying for the US. Secretary of State and the US Government appealed to the Iranian Government and her sentence was cut short. She was released on ‘good faith’ as the Iranians put it.
This has always been a cat and mouse game with the Iranians, they capture or harass American or European citizens. Then they negotiate out of a position of strength in an attempt to get the Americans to concede a few things. This helps them in two ways: first they can claim power over the USA in terms of propaganda, second, they can claim that they negotiated with the US in ‘good faith’ and that they did us a ‘gracious favor’ etc etc. They have and will try to show that they are the ones being reasonable and the US is being a bully with them on the international stage.
It has not worked before, it will not work this time. And if anything it will wedge a even greater distance between the two nations, and derail any if not all hopes of reconciliation, negotiation and mediation between Iran and the USA.
This geriatric regime claims to be so pure and holy, yet they abuse human rights every single day. They detaine these individuals and claim they are making an example of them. The only example they are making is how inhumane the regime has become. They arwe a bunch of ‘geda goshne’ trying to grab at every last little piece of power at whatever cost. I hope the release of these individuals is soon. It is a shame that our beautiful country and culture is represented by a regime that continues to destroy it.