From: George Sherwood 

On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:53:22 -0400, Rich Gauszka wrote:

>
> As in waterway disputes around the world it depends
>
> http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.1284398.0.0.php
> IN COMMON with most disputed waterways which provide a border between
> two countries - in this case Iraq and Iran - the Shatt al-Arab (or Arab
> River) is a difficult place to demarcate. As a result, it has been the
> scene of countless disputes in which shots have been fired or people
> have been arrested. The 120-mile stretch of water, formed by the
> confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, is a vital channel for
> Iraq as it provides its only access to the Persian Gulf. The river also
> supplies fresh water to southern Iraq and Kuwait, but its main
> importance is the channel it provides for ships to travel as far as
> Basra, Iraq's principal port.

No doubt about it.  They is why you don't go seizing people and holding
them hostage in an area like this unless you are trying to make a point or
want to use them for some reason.  If they push this too in my opinion they
will find they overplayed their hand.

George

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