SEIZES BRITISH SAILORS Introduction The staff at the BBC newsroom could breach of Iranian territorial waters. Focus not help but notice the contrast between Word of the seizing of the British In spring 2007, Iran their footage and the latest video im- naval personnel and their boats got back shocked the world ages of Faye Turney provided by Ira- to the HMS Cornwall almost instantly, when it took 15 British sailors and nian government television. A BBC with the information being passed up marines captive crew had filmed the 26-year-old sailor the chain of command within minutes. and held them for onboard the HMS Cornwall just hours By the time the people in power got almost two weeks. before she and 14 others were seized by word of the seizure, it was too late; the This News in Re- a naval unit of Iran’s Revolutionary 15 sailors and marines were on their view story exam- ines the capture Guard while on patrol in the Persian way to Iran in the hands of the Revolu- and release of the Gulf. In the BBC footage, Turney spoke tionary Guard. Ship navigation special- sailors as well as with confidence about her role in the ists scrambled to determine if the patrol the international British navy, answering questions boat had indeed trespassed into Iranian controversy sur- casually and spontaneously. On the waters. A similar incident in 2004 saw rounding Iran’s other hand, the images that aired on eight sailors taken into custody for three nuclear program. Iranian television showed a very differ- days because they actually had con- ent Turney. She was extremely anxious, ducted the navy’s business in Iranian YV Sections seemingly on the verge of tears, as she waters. But this time the GPS satellite marked with this read a statement saying that her patrol images showed that the patrol was 1.7 symbol indicate had “obviously trespassed” into Iranian nautical miles (3.1 kilometres) inside content suitable for waters. The images were disturbing to Iraqi territorial waters. So why were the younger viewers. some and frightening to others, in what sailors and marines arrested? must have been a living nightmare for Turney. Why? The Iranians claim the patrol was not The Seizing of the British Navy positioned at the co-ordinates given by Personnel the British GPS equipment and, just as On Friday, March 23, 2007, the HMS in 2004, the British were trespassing in Cornwall dispatched patrol boats to Iranian waters. However, some interna- perform the routine task of inspecting tional observers suspect a much more merchant ships navigating the coastal sinister reason for the seizure. Some waters of Iraq. Their goal: to search analysts wonder if the capture of the ships for smuggled goods, most notably sailors and marines was a direct re- weapons, and to arrest smugglers and sponse to actions taken by the UN in an seize their ships if necessary. One of the effort to halt Iran’s nuclear program. patrol groups had finished their search Iran had been working with Russia to of a ship they suspected was carrying build nuclear reactors to improve the smuggled cars. Suddenly they were nation’s energy output for several years. surrounded by a naval contingent of the However, Iran had developed a reputa- Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The tion for not co-operating with UN Iranians arrived in heavily armed patrol nuclear inspectors and, after the elec- boats, and the British naval personnel tion of President Mahmoud were taken into custody for an apparent Ahmadinejad, refused to co-operate

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 20 with inspectors entirely. The UN, likely building nuclear weapons, ac- Further Research fearing that the Iranians might be trying cording to Western observers. The To stay informed to enrich uranium not simply for capture and detention of the British about this issue and others in Iranian- nuclear power but also to make nuclear naval personnel was simply an effort to British relations weapons, worked with members of the flex his political muscles, drum up anti- consider visiting Security Council to try to force Iran to American sentiment domestically, and the official Web co-operate. The Iranians had consis- draw attention away from his nation’s sites of Iran’s tently and steadfastly denied the claim nuclear ambitions. Ministry of Foreign that they were trying to build nuclear Affairs at www.mfa.gov.ir weapons. Despite this, the UN agreed to What’s next? and the British impose diplomatic and economic sanc- Since the Islamic Revolution of the late Foreign and Com- tions on Iran in 2006. On the day before 1970s, Iran has earned a reputation for monwealth Office a scheduled vote to toughen the sanc- being fearless in the face of opposition. at www.fco.gov.uk. tions, Iran seized the British naval The seizing of the British sailors and personnel and their boats. The timing marines is yet another example of this could not go unnoticed. bravado. For 13 days, Iran not only Meanwhile, other Middle East ana- detained the British personnel, they lysts wonder if the seizure was an act of coerced them into reading prepared retaliation against Britain’s main ally in statements on television condemning the region, the United States. U.S. the Iraq war and admitting they tres- soldiers had captured five Iranian passed in Iranian waters. The sailors members of the Revolutionary Guard in and marines were pawns in Iran’s fall 2006 in Iraq and refused to grant propaganda game. The final images Iran official access to them. emerging from the crisis were of a Whatever the reason, the seizing of seemingly benevolent Mahmoud the British sailors and marines stirred Ahmadinejad releasing the captives as a up an international controversy that put “gift to the British people.” Iranian the spotlight squarely on Iran. People television cameras captured the last worried about the brazen actions of moments of captivity as the 15 British Ahmadinejad and his cohorts. The sailors and marines, dressed in tailored Iranian president, known for his anti- suits provided by their captors, thanked Semitic rants and unpredictable behav- the president for releasing them. ior on the world stage, was more than

Questions 1. What change did the BBC newsroom personnel notice in the images of Faye Turney that they viewed?

2. What reasons are suggested for Iran’s seizure of British personnel and their equipment?

3. Which reason is most plausible in your view? Explain.

4. Why might the apparent fearlessness of the Iranians be of concern to world leaders?

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 21 IRAN SEIZES BRITISH SAILORS YV Video Review

1. Describe the incident in the Persian Gulf in spring 2007 that put Iran and Watch the video Britain in conflict. and answer the questions in the spaces provided.

2. Have any incidents similar to this one occurred before?

3. What happened at the UN the day after the sailors were taken captive?

4. Why are the UN considered by some to be half- hearted?

5. What does Qatar want to see happen with regard to nuclear weaponry in the Middle East?

6. What effect do you think the videos featuring the captive sailors had on the viewing public in Britain, in Iran, and around the world?

7. What proof did the British have that their sailors were not in Iranian waters?

8. What is the propaganda value of releasing video confessions of captive military personnel?

9. Describe Captain Patrick Rechner’s experience in Serbia in 1995.

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 22 10. In your opinion, what should sailors do if they are asked by their captors to denounce their own government?

11. How are soldiers advised by the military to deliver prepared statements if they are captured and used as propaganda pawns?

12. What impression did video released by the Iranian government of the sailors in captivity give viewers of the way the captives were being treated?

13. How were the British captives treated while in detention?

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 23 IRAN SEIZES BRITISH SAILORS The Crisis

Review the following timeline and for an immediate end to the detention of complete the activity that follows. the 15 and warns Iran not to put the captives on trial. Timeline: March 23 – April 4, 2007 March 26 The BBC is told that the captives are being held in . The March 23 Two patrol boats from the Iranian government says that the 15 are HMS Cornwall approach an Indian- in good health. Diplomatic talks continue. flagged merchant vessel they suspect is smuggling cars through the Persian March 27 Britain continues to call for Gulf. They board the vessel and inspect the return of their sailors and marines the ship. Upon completion of the in- and vows to release evidence they were spection, the sailors are surrounded by sailing in Iraqi waters under a UN mandate. an Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval unit and taken into custody. The March 28 Iranian television broad- Cornwall sends a helicopter to see what casts an interview with Faye Turney, has happened to their patrol, only to 26, the lone woman seized on March discover that the two boats and their 23. Turney says the patrol had “obvi- personnel are in the hands of the Revo- ously” trespassed into Iranian territorial lutionary Guard headed for Iran. waters. Iran also releases a letter alleg- edly written by Turney apologizing for March 24 An Iranian military spokes- trespassing. The Iranian government person announces that the 15 sailors claims that Turney would be released in and marines are in good health. Mean- two days. In Britain, the Royal Navy while, Tehran’s news agency releases a releases the GPS information from March story claiming the group admits to 23 as well as the contradictory co- trespassing in Iranian territorial waters ordinates provided by the Iranian navy. and their patrol boat’s GPS equipment confirms this. Discussions between the March 29 A second letter accredited British and Iranian navies take place. to Turney is released by the Iranians. The British say the GPS equipment on This one calls on Britain to withdraw the patrol boat puts the vessel clearly in their troops from Iraq and issues a Iraqi territorial waters. The Iranians rebuke for trespassing into Iranian countered with GPS co-ordinates of waters for the second time since 2004. their own. Surprisingly, they were also The Iranian media also release video in Iraqi waters, so they release a second footage of the British crew being seized set of co-ordinates that put the patrol and provide a military briefing of their boat in Iranian waters. Diplomatic efforts version of events. At the UN, the Secu- to secure the release of the captives begin. rity Council passes a resolution show- ing “grave concern” for the action of March 25 Iranian President the Iranian government and the captiv- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad receives ity of the naval personnel. counsel from hardliners to put the 15 sailors and marines on trial. Meanwhile, March 30 Iranian television releases British Prime Minister Tony Blair calls an interview with a second captive,

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 24 Nathan Summers, who apologizes for “unacceptable.” The Iranian government Quote “trespassing in Iranian waters.” A third calls on the British to change their attitude “At some points, I letter accredited to Faye Turney is and become more conciliatory. did have fears that we would not released, this one condemning the policies of the Blair and Bush govern- April 2 Diplomatic efforts appear to survive.” — Arthur make headway. Iran agrees to hold off Batchelor, 20, ments. Diplomatic negotiations continue. captive, April 7, broadcasting videotaped confessions 2007, Toronto Star March 31 U.S. President George W. given by the British sailors and marines Bush criticizes the Iranian seizure of because of positive turns in the negotiations. British personnel and equipment and April 3 Ahmadinejad agrees to re- calls for the immediate release of the lease the 15 sailors and marines as a “hostages.” He also rules out an ex- “gift to the British people.” Later, the change of Iranians held by U.S. forces 15 captives, dressed in tailored suits, in Iraq for the 15 British sailors and appear before Ahmadinejad to thank marines. Meanwhile, Iranian President him for releasing them. Faye Turney Mahmoud Ahmadinejad calls the later claims that, when tailors measured British government “arrogant” for not her for her suit, she thought they were apologizing for trespassing into Iranian taking measurements to build her waters. coffin. Prime Minister Tony Blair says April 1 More video footage of the the British harbour no ill will toward seized sailors and marines is release by the Iranian people for the incident. the Iranians. The British government calls Source: BBC News – Timeline: UK-Iran the filming of their personnel in captivity stand-off (bbc.co.uk)

Activity Use the timeline to retell the story in your own words. Present your story in the form of a series of diary entries from one of the following perspectives: Faye Turney, Tony Blair, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a British journalist, an Iranian journalist.

The Diary of ______Date Events

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 25 IRAN SEIZES BRITISH SAILORS The Nuclear Issue

Iran would like to harness the energy of suspend inspections altogether (CBC Did you know . . . nuclear power in order to generate News In Depth: “Iran – Iran’s nuclear Enriched low-grade 7 000 megawatts of electricity by 2020. program”). Since that time, the UN uranium is used for energy and en- With a population expected to exceed Security Council, under mounting riched high-grade 70 million people in the not too distant pressure from nuclear powers like the uranium is used for future, Iran is working toward the goal United States, Britain, Russia, and nuclear weaponry. of self-sufficiency in the process of China, has consistently sought to bring The UN wishes to providing nuclear power to its citizens. Iran in line with the IAEA. The Iranians ensure that Iran With the help of Russia, Iran is building have not acquiesced. They insist that does not possess or develop high-grade its first nuclear power plant near the their goal is to become self-sufficient in uranium. southern port of Bushehr. While Russia the area of nuclear power generation is willing to help build a nuclear power and that the international community plant for the Iranians, it are less inclined has no right to stop them. They claim to teach them how to enrich uranium. the U.S. in particular has no moral Instead they want to sell Iran enriched authority to say that Americans can have uranium to use in the effective produc- nuclear technology while others cannot. tion of electricity at their power plant. The international community has While the Iranian nuclear program sought to keep diplomatic channels sounds like a simple exercise in self- open with Iran. On several occasions, determination, many nations worry that the European Union (EU) has tried to Iran will someday transfer their nuclear exchange economic trade incentives for power generating capabilities into the an Iranian agreement to stop pursuing production of a nuclear weapons arse- plans to enrich uranium. Prior to the nal. This is why the International election of President Mahmoud Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Ahmadinejad, it seemed like Iran might UN’s nuclear technology watchdog, has agree. However, with Iran’s shift to consistently insisted on inspecting Ahmadinejad’s hardline policies, few Iran’s nuclear facilities. Most times, believe that economic incentives will Iran has co-operated with inspections work. It appears that local autonomy is but, at other times, they have either a more powerful force for Ahmadinejad disallowed IAEA access to their nuclear than the prospect of improved trade sites or cancelled inspections at the last relationships. minute. The IAEA was alarmed in Iran has continued to vigorously August 2003 to discover traces of pursue its nuclear plans. In 2004, the weapons-grade, enriched uranium at world learned that the architect of one of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Based Pakistan’s nuclear program, Abdul on this, the IAEA stepped up efforts, Qadeer Khan, sold centrifuge parts to insisting that Iran present all its nuclear North Korea, Libya, and Iran. Centri- material for inspection. Iran half- fuges are used to make fuel for nuclear heartedly co-operated until a UN reso- power plants and, if desired, nuclear lution condemning “Iran’s 18-year weapons. According to Ahmadinejad, cover-up of a nuclear program includ- the Iranians have enough centrifuges to ing uranium enrichment and plutonium put nuclear power plants into operation reprocessing” gave them an excuse to in the not-too-distant future. Other

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 26 nuclear powers question this claim, believing that tactical nuclear strikes Quote: saying Iran is still several years away were still possible without starting a “I declare that, as from getting their power plants working global nuclear war. As new powers gain of today, our dear country has joined and at least 10 years away from build- access to nuclear technology and decide the nuclear club of ing nuclear weapons. whether or not to build their own nations and can As countries like Iran prepare to join bombs, one can only hope they honour produce nuclear the nuclear club of nations, many fear and respect the power of the atomic fuel on an indus- what might happen next. In the Cold bomb. A best-case scenario would be trial scale.” — War, the nuclear powers were kept at that the bombs never get built. We all Iranian President Mahmoud bay by potential mutual annihilation. know the worst-case scenario. Ahmadinejad, April However, the Americans and the Sovi- 10, 2007, Toronto ets reached this conclusion reluctantly, Source: CBC News In Depth: “Iran – Star with some delusional military personnel Iran’s nuclear program,” cbc.ca

Analysis 1. Why do you think Iran wants unfettered access to nuclear technology?

2. Why did the UN pursue sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program?

3. What measures has the EU used to try to persuade Iran to not pursue uranium enrichment?

4. How close is Iran to achieving self-sufficiency in nuclear power?

5. Why is the international community concerned about nations like Iran having access to nuclear technology?

6. Is it reasonable to suggest that some countries can have complete access to nuclear power and weaponry, while others cannot? Explain your position.

7. What useful role might there be for Canada in this issue?

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 27 IRAN SEIZES BRITISH SAILORS Country Profiles: Canada and Iran

Iran and surrounding countries

Government Category Canada Islamic Republic of Iran Type of government Constitutional Monarchy Theocratic republic Capital Ottawa Tehran Head of State Queen Elizabeth (Constitutional Monarch); Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei represented by Governor General (Supreme Leader) Michaëlle Jean Head of Government Prime Minister Stephen Harper President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Geography Area 9 984 670 sq. km 1 648 000 sq. km Climate Varies from temperate in south to Mostly arid or semi-arid, subtropical subarctic and arctic in north along Caspian Sea Terrain Mostly plains with mountains in west Mostly a central desert basin and lowlands in southeast surrounded by mountainous rims Arable land 4.57% 10.17% Irrigated land 7 850 sq. km (2003) 75 629 sq. km Land boundaries 8 893 km 5 440 km Coastline 202 080 km along the Pacific, Atlantic, 2 400 km along the Persian Gulf and and Arctic oceans Strait of Hormuz; also 740 km along the Caspian Sea Location Northern North America, bordering the The Middle East, bordering on the Atlantic Ocean on the east, the Pacific Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and Ocean on the west, and the Arctic the Caspian Sea between Iraq and Ocean on the north, and north of the U.S. Pakistan

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 28 People Population 33.4 million (July 2007 est.) 68 million (July 2005 est.) Age structure - 0-14 years: 17.3% - 0-14: 27.1% - 15-64 years: 69.2% -15-64: 68.0% - 65 years and over: 13.5% (2007 est.) - 65 and over: 4.9% Literacy (age 15 and Total: 99% Total: 79.4% over can read and write) Birth rate 10.75 births/1 000 population (2007 est.) 16.57 births /1 000 population Death rate 7.86 deaths/1 000 population (2007 est.) 5.65 deaths /1 000 population Life Expectancy 80.34 years (2007 est.) 70.56 years at birth - Male: 76.98 years; Female: 83.86 years - Male - 68.58 years; Female - 71.40 years Infant mortality rate Total: 4.63 deaths/1 000 live births Total: 38.12 deaths/1 000 live births Ethnic groups British Isles origin 28%, Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26% Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% Religions Roman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3% Muslim 98% (Shi’a 89%, Sunni 9%), (including United Church 9.5%, other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), Christian, and Baha’i) 2% other Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16% (2001 census) Languages English (official) 59.3%, Persian 58%; Turkic 26%; Kurdish 9%; French (official) 23.2%, other 17.5% Others 7% Economy Gross Domestic Product $1.165-trillion (2006 est.) $552-billion USD (2005) (GDP) GDP by sector Agriculture: 2.3%; Industry: 29.2%; Agriculture 11.8%; Industry 43.3%; Services: 68.5% (2006 est.) Services 44.9% GDP per capita $35 200 (2006 est.) $8 900 (2006 est.) Unemployment rate 6.4% (2006 est.) 11.2% (2005) Inflation rate 2% 16% (2005) Population below 15.9%* 40% (2002 est.) poverty line

*Note: This figure is the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), a calculation that results in higher figures than found in many comparable economies; Canada does not have an official poverty line. Source: cbc.ca; CIA World Fact Book Activity 1. Write two paragraphs that outline the major similarities and differences between Canada and Iran.

2. In your view which are most significant—our differences or our similari- ties?

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 29 IRAN SEIZES BRITISH SAILORS The and the Canadian Caper

If one hopes to understand the actions Khomeini, who eventually settled in Definition of the Iranian government in the present France. Still, Khomeini’s influence Ayatollah is a word day, it is essential to understand the penetrated the consciousness of reli- used by Shia Mus- gious Iranians and, by 1978, the time lims and refers to a early days of the Islamic Revolution great religious that took hold of Iran in the late 1970s. seemed ripe for revolution. scholar or leader. The revolution had been brewing since The shah contributed to his own the shah (or leader) of Iran, Muhammad undoing by isolating the wealth of the Reza Shah Pahlavi, introduced political, nation into the hands of his family and a social, and economic reforms in 1963. select number of large companies. The In what has come to be known as the hoarding of wealth, along with his White Revolution, the shah’s reforms autocratic rule and neglect for the saw the Iranian government move away nation’s most needy citizens, led to from the powerful influence of the mass opposition to the shah and his Islamic religious clerics and into a more secular government. At a rally in Sep- secular approach to governance. The tember 1978, the shah’s security forces opened fire on a crowd of 20 000 clerics represented the majority Muslim protesters in Tehran, killing hundreds population who practised the Shia and wounding thousands in what came tradition in Islam. The shah’s reforms to be known as Black Friday. The obviously caused the clerics and their masses turned to Ayatollah Ruhollah devotees some distress, and they vo- Khomeini who, from his exile in France, cally challenged the his rule. Still, the called on Iranians to fight the oppres- shah was the political authority in Iran, sive rule of the shah. Within three either ignoring or silencing his oppo- months, the rallying cry of Khomeini nents. He was seldom afraid to flex his had been heeded. With the army sup- political and military muscle and was porting him, he ran the shah out of Iran. able to stave off the challenges put The Islamic Revolution had replaced forward by the clerics. As time passed, the secularization of the White Revolu- the shah and his family, as well as a tion, and the Shia clerics ruled the land. number of large companies, prospered While the new Islamic Republic as international trade made a select group began to take shape, the shah began of Iranians extremely wealthy. Other dealing with some personal health elements of the populous were not so problems in exile. At one point, he fortunate, and resentment began to grow. asked U.S. President if he One vocal opponent of the shah, even could seek medical treatment in the as early as 1963, was Ayatollah United States. Carter agreed, and what , a powerful Shia ensued shocked the West into the cleric who fought fervently against the realization that the new Iran was brazen shah’s regime. Khomeini maintained and fearless in the face of a superpower his influence in Iran even after being like the United States. In response to exiled from the nation. First, Khomeini Carter’s gesture of goodwill to the shah, settled in Iraq and broadcast messages hundreds of militant protestors stormed to his disciples from the Shia city of the U.S. embassy in Tehran. They took Najaf. Fearing insurrection among its over 70 American diplomats hostage own Shia population, Iraq expelled and refused to release them unless the

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 30 U.S. apologized for supporting the ments for the six Americans. The Archives shah. The U.S. refused, and over a year Canadians also worked secretly with the To learn more of captivity at the hands of the militants CIA to prepare the necessary conditions about the “Cana- followed. Despite concerted diplomatic and pin down the right timing for an dian Caper” visit the CBC Digital efforts, and a botched military attempt escape. Meanwhile, over the course of Archives at to rescue the hostages, the Iranian many weeks, the Canadian embassy www.cbc.ca/ militants, with the endorsement of staff began quietly leaving Iran. Finally, archives and go to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, were when the timing was right, the six the section marked able to detain the hostages for 444 days. Americans made their way to Tehran’s “On This Day.” The hostages were finally released on airport and out of Iran on a flight bound Click on “January 28” for an audio- January 20, 1981, the day a new, more for Switzerland. Later the same day, visual summary of militant U.S. president, , Taylor and his immediate staff shut this story. was sworn into office. down the Canadian embassy and made Canadian diplomat Ken Taylor was their way back to Canada. Canada’s ambassador to Iran when the Perhaps the real hero of what came to shah was deposed and the Ayatollah be known as the Canadian Caper was took power. He was also ambassador journalist Jean Pelletier, the Washing- when the militants stormed the U.S. ton correspondent for Montreal’s La embassy and took the U.S. diplomats Presse newspaper. Pelletier got wind of hostage. The hostage crisis was a very the scheme prior to the escape from dark time for the United States as it Tehran and shared the news with his seemed powerless in the face of a editors. His bosses at La Presse wanted fearless Islamic Republic of Iran. But to run the story, but Pelletier, seeing there emerged one bright light in this that unveiling the story could jeopardize period as Canada’s diplomatic commu- the lives of the Americans as well as the nity, under the leadership of Ken Taylor Canadian diplomats involved, agreed to and John Sheardown, managed to sit on the story until all parties were protect six Americans who escaped the safely out of Iran. While Pelletier may militants at the time of the embassy have been the first to break the news, takeover. Seeing that the chaos around the story took on a momentum of its the embassy was not likely to dissipate, own, with news agencies around the the Americans sought refuge with the world rallying around the story. Canadi- Canadians. The Canadian embassy ans expressed a rare flourish of patrio- agreed to help and, with the active tism as they were able to help their involvement of ’s government neighbours to the south thwart the in Ottawa, Taylor and Sheardown pre- efforts of an aggressive Iran. Americans pared to shuttle the Americans out of Iran. were grateful to see six of their own It was not to be accomplished over- return to their homeland and celebrated night. The Canadian government agreed what was arguably one of the only to issue fake passports and travel docu- happy days of the 444-day crisis. Questions 1. Who was the shah of Iran? 2. Who was Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini? 3. What caused the Islamic Revolution? 4. What prompted militant protestors to attack the U.S. embassy in Tehran? 5. How did Canadians help to save six Americans in Iran? 6. Why is journalist Jean Pelletier considered a hero of the Canadian Caper?

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 31 IRAN SEIZES BRITISH SAILORS Power to Be Reckoned with: The Iran Problem

By Jim Reed clerics has declined somewhat, much CBC Viewpoint of the population continues to view the Western leadership with suspicion. There is a problem taking shape that In fact, the Iranian Revolution has is causing serious jitters in Iran as well proved to be surprisingly resilient in as in Western capitals. spite of a lukewarm attitude on the In the complex game of interna- part of the new generation. tional geopolitics, Iran is now a lead- Now Iran is challenging both Europe ing player along with the United and the United States in a game of States, China, and Europe, and the nuclear brinkmanship that could country’s nuclear ambitions pose a prove more deadly than the recent challenge both for the West and for scare over nuclear competition be- the citizens of Iran. tween India and Pakistan. The vast majority of them, like At one time the U.S. had plans for people everywhere, want peace, conventional air strikes against Iranian prosperity, and security. Still, there are nuclear installations; but that idea has powerful political forces at work that been set aside, now that the U.S. finds could put those hopes in jeopardy. itself bogged down in Iraq, out of First of all—behind the scenes—Iran favour with many of its allies and has been moving to out-manoeuvre challenged by natural disasters and the U.S. in Iraq. It has established a political uncertainty at home. viable, if somewhat uneasy, working Moreover, the American military is relationship with the neighboring stretched to the breaking point and, Iraqi Kurds. And what amounts to an in any case, it’s unlikely that the unbreakable alliance with key ele- American public would support an ments of Iraq’s Shia Muslim majority attack against yet another Muslim was formed long ago. In the wider country. world, Iran can count on Russia and a The Europeans tried to solve the friendly China for support. “Iran problem” by offering to provide Second, Iran has an educated and fuel for a nuclear energy program on skilled scientific community with the the condition that Iran stop work on ability to develop modern nuclear its own enrichment plant. But the power facilities; it has the political offer ran headlong into a wall of determination and popular support to Iranian nationalism and was rejected. press ahead. Cost is not an issue The Iranian argument goes some- because high oil prices have enabled it thing like this: why should Iran be to accumulate between $50-billion treated differently from Russia, China, and $60-billion in foreign exchange the United States, Israel, Pakistan, reserves, and that puts the country in India, Canada, and Europe, all of the economic big leagues. which have their own fuel production Third, the Iranian Revolution programs for the purpose of produc- sparked by the Ayatollah Khomeini ing electricity. has matured, and the Shia clerics are Further, Iran insists that it has only still firmly in control of the govern- peaceful purposes in mind and has no ment. They’ve sold themselves to the interest in making nuclear weapons. public as strong defenders against Iranian officials challenge the U.S. and further Western encroachment. Europe to show evidence to the While popular support for the contrary.

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 32 But the U.S. and Europe don’t trust ric, and to listen to, and perhaps even Definition the mullahs in Tehran and so we have heed, what the Iranian leadership has Mullah refers to an a classic confrontation brewing. And to say. individual schooled the best minds in Iran and in the West It’s also important to remember that in Islamic law and are frantically trying to come up with there are other forces in Iran besides theology. a way to avoid it. the religious leaders, and those others The problem is that this nuclear must also be heard. If the Iranians are situation in Iran is about more than allowed some leeway and are permit- the production of nuclear fuel. It’s ted to debate this issue [among] about a country’s independence. It’s themselves, it’s more than likely that a about a country that has emerged workable solution will be found. from a long period of Western domi- Ali Akbar Rafsanjani is a former nation and which is determined to president of Iran who is now oversee- assert itself on the world stage. In ing the country’s parliament. Here’s short, it’s about national pride. what he said recently to the lawmak- The invasion of Iraq has altered the ers in response to criticism from the balance of geopolitical power in the International Atomic Energy Agency: Middle East, and Iran is emerging as a “This [parliament] is the place for big winner. It may be time now for wisdom, the place for seeking win- the rest of us to acknowledge this. If dows that will lead you to the goal,” we are ever to win the war against he said. “This is where we should use terrorism, we need a prosperous Iran all our leverage with patience and to be onside. wisdom, without provocation and A confrontation at the UN in the slogans that can give pretexts to the Security Council would be doomed to enemies.” failure because China and/or Russia In the meantime, the West needs to would veto any attempt to impose treat Iran with some respect, give the sanctions against one of their princi- people of Iran their dignity as a sover- pal economic partners and energy eign nation, and show some faith in suppliers. the essential goodness of humanity. So we are left with only one ratio- The alternative is too terrible to nal approach. That is to work harder contemplate. at trying to understand what Iran is all about, to refrain from bellicose rheto- Source: cbc.ca

Analysis 1. How is Iran out-manoeuvring the United States in Iraq?

2. What options have the United States and the European Union either considered or used to prevent Iran from pursuing a nuclear program?

3. Why don’t the Western powers believe Iran when it says that it only seeks peaceful purposes in the pursuit of nuclear technology?

4. According to Jim Reed, what is the solution to the Iran problem?

5. How do you think Canada should respond to Iranian nuclear issue?

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 33 IRAN SEIZES BRITISH SAILORS Activity: Selling their Stories

Your Task When Leading Seaman Faye Turney returned to Britain after being held by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard for 13 days, she was offered— and accepted—a reported six-figure payment to tell her story to The Sun newspaper and British televison network ITV1. Turney’s decision polarized the critics, with some saying she was right to get the full story out to the public while others said she dishonoured the memories of those killed in Iraq by selling her story. Your task is to consider the pros and cons of the issue in order to determine whether or not it is acceptable for military personnel to sell their stories to the media.

Two Sides to Every Story Work with a partner and review the following points. Select a point that you would like to examine. Make a chart in your notebook that shows your argu- ments for the point and your arguments against it.

Point 1 Military personnel fighting for democratic countries have a right to free speech. They have every right to tell their story when they want to.

Point 2 Speaking about humiliating experiences while being held in captivity is demor- alizing for other military personnel to hear. Out of respect for the war effort, returning captives should not speak to the media about their experiences.

Point 3 Military personnel held captive have been through a harrowing experience. Good for them if they can make a profit from selling their stories.

Point 4 Sharing military stories with the media jeopardizes national security. It simply gives the enemy the opportunity to build their sense of power.

Make at least five statements for and five statements against the point you selected. Pick a side — which side do you think has the most valid position?

Present your work in a graphic organizer that looks like this:

Point #: Arguments for Arguments against: ------Which side do you prefer?

CBC News in Review • May 2007 • Page 34