Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that he may allow the return of the two American men if Iranian nationals held in American prisons are also released. This statement has raised worries that the three innocent Americans have become pawns in an often heated international discussion about Iran's nuclear development. Since the Iranian government has determined Ms. Shourd had no "ill intention" when she crossed the border, and the three Americans were together at that time, it is clear to me that the Iranian government ought to also accept the truth that all three strayed into Iranian territory accidentally and release the remaining two prisoners. On what grounds do they still hold the men?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
American "spy" back from Iran
Detained beginning in July 2009 and suspected of espionage, Sarah Shourd is finally home, safe and sound. Two other Americans, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattel, have not been so lucky and are still in an Iranian prison. All three were arrested by the Iranian government last summer when they strayed over the Iraq-Iran border on a hike. After having been detained for 410 days, Shourd was released after concerns about her health, which has turned out to be fine. While Bauer and Fattel's mothers are glad Shourd has returned, they continue to fear for and wish to see their sons.
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3 comments:
It is very unfortunate that Shane Bauer and Josh Fattel are being used as bargaining chips by the Iranian government. I do believe that the Iranian government has been excessive in their punishment and that they are being unreasonable regardless of whether the three hikers really were spies or not.
However, how do you know that all three are truly innocent? The Iranian government's statement that Ms. Shourd had no "ill intention" is not sufficient evidence to declare all three's innocence. In fact, the Iranian government has the right to be cautious with these people who illegally entered into its country. Both Shourd and Bauer have written articles dealing with Israel and all three were activists (http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=e276b8706a88aca9e3a98dbbd5526d1d,
http://shanebauer.net/site.php/blog/comments/muslims_in_syria_like_obamas_tone_but_want_new_policy1/). Furthermore, just "hiking" along the Iranian border seems suspicious. Their innocence has neither been proved nor disproved.
Either way, I think the Iranian government has detained the hikers for too long. 410 days without a decent explanation is unreasonable.
I completely agree with Peter. In all honesty, who would really go to Iraq in these times to hike along the Iranian border? There is no definitive evidence of their innocence. However, there is also no definitive evidence of their guilt. We rightfully feel they should be released because they are innocent until proven guilty. Obviously, the Iranian government does not feel the same and keep these two remaining prisoners as bargaining chips.
I'm with both Peter and Jesvin. An idea of an ideal hiking trip is not one that involves the Iranian border. My opinion is that the US should let them figure it out for themselves. I'm sorry, but I for one don't want to create an international crisis over some hikers who were (frankly) a little ignorant in hiking in Iran when US-Iranian tensions are less than ideal right now. I don't want to spend my (parents') taxpayers dollars on bailing out these people. Not to mention an military personnel who may be at risk.
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