"We were aware that many people have questioned why we allowed ourselves to be taken in the first place. From the outset it was very apparent that fighting back was not an option. Had we done that many of us would not be standing here today.
Could you image Winston Churchill, or Bernard Lau Montgomery, or Margaret Hilda Thatcher would explain himself/herself like that? A traveler can say like that, as well as a night show compere, a nurse, a construction worker, a peddler, or a farmer shoveling feces, but not a soldier.
I don’t believe a soldier dare not to fight he must can be a good soldier. And I don’t believe a nation dare not to endure a huge casualty can win an extended war thoroughly.
Losing about 4000 soldiers as a cost to occupy a country for 4 years is certainly a military success. However, it is not an expected scene of success in US/UK’s eyes. If you have no patience and confidence to face the casualty, you can not be called a powerful force that can finally win the war. So, I think US/UK will finally lose the war proceeding in Iraq and might in Iran in the future.
The frustration in the Middle East would further affect Britain deeply in coming years. I’d like to give a bold prediction: Within 15 years, Britain will have to give up Falkland Island; within 30 years, Britain will be separated to two or three countries.
As for the truth about the release of the 15 soldiers, I have different viewpoint. In the history of about 4700 years of Iran/Persia, how many times she was invaded? Almost countless. How many times Iran enkindle a war? Almost none. Reversely, How about Britain?
If you didn’t know where you were, you could just say “I am not sure whether I entered into Iran’s water area”
If you did believe you were in Iraqi waters, you should not lie in Iran. (Only one day after detained without any obvious torture)
If you did believe you were in Iran waters, you should not lie in Britain.
If you were devotional Christian or catholic, you should not lie under any threat.
If you were typical British gentleman, you should not lower your lordly head.
If you lied to me last time due to stress, why I must believe you this time? Is there not any stress in U.K? Iran has propaganda, and then U.K has not?
What kind of chilling ordeal forced a soldier act as a weather reporter to narrate what happened before a video camera? --- “We were blindfolded, bound and stripped” If this were the all that prisoners detained by US/British in Iraq/Afghanistan are suffering, maybe a little more including Pizza, playing chess, being introduced to Bush/Blair, and gift bags to bring back, I think they would smile sweetly even in their dreams.
What kind of terrific punishment forced a soldier to lie --- “if they did not admit they had strayed into Iranian waters they faced seven years in prison.” Pay attention to this, seven years, not execution. Seven years can let a soldier to lose his dignity?
Especially, considering that there might be latter other colleagues “kidnapped” by Iran and how Irani would cope with them, the soldiers back home shouldn’t just rebuke the "devils" who did show goodwill to British people.
At least, you can say the food is delicious or impressive to mitigate the ambience.
At least, you can say you didn’t suffer body torture.
Or if you really want to express your anger,
At least, you don’t have to smile so sweet before the camera.
At least, you don’t have to wave your hands so excitedly.
At least, you don’t have to act like a professional actor.
At least, you don’t have to take the gift bag down the airplane.
They are not soldiers. They are not gentlemen. They are not even men. They are nothing but clowns. The best job for them is to take off uniform and then pick up guitar to sing something such as “You are beautiful”.
