More info on the ordeal suffered by the kidnapped British sailors and marines:
Arthur told of the moment he and his comrades were paraded on TV and forced to confess they had strayed into Iranian waters.
He said: "A guard was saying, 'smile, smile, smile for camera'. We felt it would help if we obliged.
"We were happy to see each other for the first time. But the genuine smiles lasted just minutes."
The article also tells us that Seaman Faye Turney's nickname aboard ship was "Topsy." Gotta love those Brits.
But the article also relates an unsettling relationship between Turney and the young Seaman Arthur Batchelor:
Arthur said: "I missed Topsy most of all. I really love her, as a mum and a big sister. Not seeing her and not knowing if she was safe was one of the hardest parts of the whole thing.
"Then on the sixth day, when I was just about giving up hope, I was pulled from my bed in the early hours of the morning.
"They led me down a corridor and into a room, where I saw Topsy in a corner.
"I can't describe how that felt...just every emotion rolled into one. I ran up to her, threw my arms round her and cried like a baby.
"When I'd calmed down, she asked, 'Do you need another hug, a mother hug?' and I said, 'damn right'. She was just as pleased to see me because they'd told her I'd been sent home.
"Topsy said she'd always be there for me, to protect me and look after me.
I don't particularly object to the platonic, almost motherly love that Batchelor had for Faye Turney. I just don't like seeing it in the military. These kinds of relationships among shipmates (or among any troops) break down the discipline and command structure that is essential for the military to function properly.
And as for the complaints about the sailors and marines receiving compensation for telling their stories, well, welcome to the 21st century, where everything is for sale.
On a more positive note, Seaman Turney told how she got the last laugh on President Ahmadinejad:
As Faye stood in front of bearded Ahmadinejad he asked her through a translator: “How is your daughter?”
Faye fumed in response: “I don’t know, Mr President, I haven’t seen her for 13 days — remember?”
The Islamic fanatic stuttered: “Oh yes. But haven’t you been allowed a phone call to her?”
Faye replied: “No I most certainly have not”.
Taken aback by her forthright response, Ahmadinejad was momentarily lost for words. Red-faced, he then muttered: “Er, well, good luck in your life and your future”.
And with that he nervously signalled to flunkies to move Faye on so he could meet the next hostage.
Heh.
I just don't think that these two belong in the military. And I'm stunned how easily they allowed themselves to put into headscarf and Ahmadinejad suits. It's dismaying.
Posted by: Jason Bo Green | April 11, 2007 at 10:32 AM