JOHN CHUCKMAN COMMENT: NEW INFORMATION ON BRITISH TANKER SEIZED BY IRAN - EVEN THE LEAST-BENT OF BRITAIN'S EMBARRASSINGLY PREJUDICED MAINLINE NEWS SOURCES, THE INDEPENDENT, INDULGES THE COUNTRY'S ALMOST DIRECTIONLESS GOVERNMENT WITH DOUBTFUL JOURNALISM - THE THANKS BRITAIN GETS FOR ITS ROLE AS FAITHFUL HOUSEHOLD SERVANT IN THE "SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP" WITH AMERICA

John Chuckman


COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE IN THE INDEPENDENT



“Relatives of crew onboard captured UK-flagged tanker say they have 'no idea' when they will see them again”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/uk-oil-tanker-stena-impero-captured-iran-crew-relatives-return-a9021196.html



Your headline is exaggerated and really inappropriate. Effectively, it is disinformation.

Most of the Indian crew members of the previously-seized Panama-flagged tanker are reported as having already been released. Three are held since a possible crime was committed.

And, as your own words reveal, a relative of the second British-connected, Liberia-flagged tanker was early-on allowed contact.

Also, importantly, the Indian crew members of the second tanker were given Indian consular access.

Which is far more than the British government permits in the case of two Russian citizens held virtually incommunicado for many months.

The Iranians also early released video showing no real violence took place in the capture and that crew members were okay. It was all handled skilfully.

Iran also reported that this tanker was ordered to change its course but failed to do so before being seized.

The Iranians have demonstrated as much goodwill as possible under the circumstances.

Please remember that it is Britain which started the needless conflict on the seas, dutifully following suggestions from possibly the most twisted and dangerous man on earth, Washington’s John Bolton, instead of setting its own independent course.

And, of course, the President of Iran has offered the idea of a peaceful swap of the tankers.

Iran wants peace, but it insists on being treated fairly and as an equal, not as some constant target of prejudice, hatred, and violence.

It is not at all clear to me what Britain wants.



FURTHER NOTE:

"In a new twist on this issue, we now know that Gibraltar changed its law underpinning the seizure just one day before it occurred. This adds weight to reports in Spain quoting government sources that the UK carried out the seizing of the tanker under U.S. instructions."

https://www.salon.com/2019/07/21/the-uks-dubious-role-in-the-new-tanker-war-with-iran_partner/



AND IN ANOTHER STORY:

“Iran oil tanker crisis: Mike Pompeo says ‘responsibility falls to UK to take care of its ships’”

'This isn’t because of American sanctions, this is because the theocracy, the leadership in Iran, their revolutionary zeal to conduct terror'

Gee, with friends like that…