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Ominous silence over navy captives
FRANTIC searches are continuing for the Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines seized in the Gulf amid desperate diplomatic efforts to secure their freedom.
Since the two boats carrying eight sailors and seven marines were taken in a raid by Iranian vessels on Friday (March 23), there has been an ominous silence over their wellbeing.
Top Iranian officials have warned the 15 personnel – including a young mum – could be charged with illegally entering Iranian waters and spying.
The group was seized at gunpoint by Iranian forces in the waterway which divides Iran and Iraq, and a diplomatic row has blown up over whether the British team were in Iranian waters or not.
Fears are growing for their welfare because of the tough treatment meted out to eight marines seized by the Iranians in 2004.
British government officials admit they don't even know where the captives are.
The 15 personnel are thought likely to be suffering sleep deprivation and disorientation.
Major Charles Heyman, editor of Armed Forces of the United Kingdom Review, said: 'These Royal Marines knew they were operating in a diplomatically-sensitive area and you can be sure there would have been extra training on board HMS Cornwall.
'This would also have included being given access to the debriefing of the eight servicemen captured in 2004.'
Those six Marines and two sailors, who were captured in circumstances similar to last week, were then paraded blindfolded on Iranian TV and subjected to mock executions before being released unharmed after three days.
Referring to the new captives, Major Heyman, added: 'The Iranians know they have a prized trophy and they are not about to seriously ill-treat servicemen.
But former Marine Scott Fallon, one of the marines captured three years ago, said he was subjected to mock executions and accused of spying.
'There were eight of us and sometimes we were together, other times we were split up,' he said.
'One time we were taken out to the desert and there was a ditch in front of us. Some guys with AKs were sat on the edge. I thought "that's it, my number's up".
'We had no idea if people even knew we were missing. We had no idea how big it was until we were released.
'They just wanted to know our mission – why we were there, why we were in Iran. It sounds the same this time.'
Others have expressed faith in the navy for giving back-up to the families involved.
Karen Palmer, 43, of North End, who ran the Mothers In Support of the Troops campaign in 2003, said: 'The families back home will be frantic with worry about it. It's always very difficult for the families when they are out there.
'But the navy is very good in situations like this. There will be a lot of support for them, the padre is helpful and there is always somebody to turn to.'
Kim Richardson, chairwoman of the Naval Families Federation added: 'Our thoughts are with all the families and we hope for a swift resolution in the same way as everybody else. We want everybody home safely and as quickly as possible.
'It's not just the spouses, it's the mums and dads and children that are affected too.
'It seems as if everybody is getting behind this and it is reassuring for these families that it seems everybody is doing all they can to get them home.''
Speaking from an EU meeting in Berlin Prime Minister Tony Blair said: 'I haven't been commenting up to now because I want to get it resolved in as easy and diplomatic a way as possible, because it is the welfare of the people that have been taken by the Iranian government that is most important. But this is a very serious situation.'
'I hope the Iranian government understands how fundamental an issue this is for us.
'We have certainly sent the message back to them very clearly indeed.
'They should not be under any doubt at all about how seriously we regard this act, which is unjustified and wrong.'
Mr Blair hopes to resolve the issue diplomatically in the next few days but fears it dragging on for weeks.
The Royal Navy personnel are believed to be on attachment to the Royal Marines who undergo training by experts to prepare for interrogation.
This includes being taught to withstand the effects of sleep deprivation, sensory disorientation and stress positions – difficult poses which cut off blood circulation.
The troops, from the Type 22 frigate HMS Cornwall, were carrying out a routine search of a large cargo dhow which they suspected of smuggling.
Tehran-based news agency Fars claimed the seamen have admitted illegally sailing into Iranian waters and that satellite tracking systems on the British boats proved they were inside Iranian territory.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, in New York where the UN has just imposed tougher sanctions on Iran over its refusal to suspend its nuclear programme, told Mrs Beckett consular access was unlikely until initial investigations were complete.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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