British soldiers taken hostage

The High Representative of the CFSP, Javier Solana, meeting with the EU foreign ministers of the 27 Member States, today issued a strong statement condemning the hostage-taking of the 15 British soldiers, claiming that the capture was "unacceptable" and "a big mistake". It is a welcomed, firm message of force against an Iranian government who believe it can persuade its ostensibly deceived, disillusioned masses with propaganda and false accusations. From the very beginning, the operation was sanctioned by the UN, and the British sailors arguably had no reason what so ever to trespass in Iranian waters. The borders of the waters outside the Iranian coast, the Northern Gulf, are highly dubious, and Iran should not make such a claim considering the uncertainty which surrounds the whole affair.

Worringly enough, it seems like the Iranians are taking advantage of the fact that the British army and navy are overstretched and exhausted, campaigning both in Iraq and Afghanistan; such bold actions could not have been feasible only a few years ago. It might also be part of a desperate Iranian attempt to coerce the international community into sanctioning its nuclear programme. Either way, these actions must be strongly condemned and the prisoners to be released immediately. Iran must now that it cannot get away with this grave offence.