From: "Rich Gauszka" 


"Ad"  wrote in
message news:4607c8a9{at}w3.nls.net...
> Rich Gauszka wrote:
>> >>
>> Pre-planned by which side? Both sides? Unarmed sailors and marines on
>> rubber boats in volatile waterways begs the question why?
>>
>>
>>
>
> Pre-planned all round. The US took some Iranians (e.g. in Irbil) in a
> planned action & the Iranians have been looking to return the favour.
>
> BTW wrt unarmed.....why do you think they were unarmed?
>
> Adam

I had read that the marines from the HMS Cornwall were in their inflatable
boats engaged in unarmed boarding inspections when captured. I suspect the
rules of engagement as outlined by Admiral Sir Alan West also invite this
behavior by hostiles.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6491581.stm
What are the rules of engagement in this type of situation?

The rules are very much de-escalatory, because we don't want wars starting.
The reason we are there is to be a force for good, to make the whole area
safe, to look after the Iraqi big oil platforms and also to stop smuggling
and terrorism there.

So we try to downplay things. Rather then roaring into action and sinking
everything in sight we try to step back and that, of course, is why our
chaps were effectively able to be captured and taken away.

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