Iranian Perspectives on Three American Captives
New America Media/Mosaic , News Report, Posted: Nov 11, 2009
Editor's Note: Three young Americans--Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Joshua Fattal--being held in Iran after reportedly mistakenly crossing the border with Kurdistan were charged with spying this week, an allegation their families, supporters and Sec. of State Hillary Clinton have denied. Their capture comes at a time when Iran is engaged in negotiations with the United States and other nations over its nuclear program, leading many to presume that the American captives have become unwitting pawns in the international political drama.
The following is a transcript of a BBC Arab news segment broadcast on Link TV by Mosaic:World News from the Middle East, titled, "Iran Charges 3 Americans with espionage." (To view the clip, click on the highlighted link.
Presenter, Female #1
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that an investigation is ongoing on the allegations that the three American hikers had committed additional violations besides illegally crossing the Iranian border.The families of the three Americans have denied that they were involved in espionage, reiterating that they were tourists in northern Iraq.
Guest, Male #1 (Mottaki)
Normally, an investigation is conducted in all cases based on simple allegations. The important thing is the final verdict, which will be released by the judicial authorities. The obvious violation is: illegally crossing the western borders. A judiciary investigation is being conducted on the other alleged violations.
Reporter, Male #1
The three Americans held by the Iranian authorities may have been enjoying their final dance before being arrested on the charge of illegal entry into Iran. Their fourth friend, who was staying with them in this hotel in Sulaiman city in Kurdistan, Iraq, did not go with them on their last trip.But he received a phone call from them, briefly saying that they got into trouble with soldiers who did not speak Arabic or Kurdish. An official announcement quoted the Iranian general prosecutor saying that the three Americans have been accused of espionage. The Iranian president said that they will be brought to court.
Guest, Male #2 (Ahmedinejad)
Every country punishes those who cross its borders illegally. Therefore, they should stand trial and answer the court’s questions. I hope that they did not have any bad intentions, and I hope that the matter does not turn into a problem. But the case is in the hands of the judicial system.
Reporter, Male #1
But in Iran, some people doubt the official story.
Guest, Male #3 (Ordinary Iranian)
I don’t believe that they are spies. If they were, they would not have crossed the border wearing sport outfits.
Reporter, Male #1
The non-believers say that Iran fabricated the case to open a new door to dialogues with the West. This was achieved indeed. The US Secretary of State sent out a call from Berlin to the Iranian government.
Guest, Female #1 (Clinton)
We believe strongly that there is no evidence to support any of the allegations. We renew a request on behalf of the three young people and their families that the Iranian government exercise compassion and release them so they can return home.
Reporter, Male #1
Some believe that Tehran may use this case to pressure the US and the West on the nuclear issue. The Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad had said in a statement to the American NBC network two months ago that the release of the three Americans may be connected to the release of Iranian diplomats held by the US forces in Iraq. Ahmed Shaikh, BBC.
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User Comments
Samuel Anderson on Nov 11, 2009 at 17:17:09 said:
"The world needs to hear from the moderate Islamic communities. When the blasphemy laws are applied in countries such as Pakistan and non-Muslims are killed, are those keepers of the law being good Muslims or bad ones? The world needs to hear. When freedoms are so restricted in Islamic countries that no Muslim is allowed to disbelieve in Islam with impunity, is that a good Muslim law or a bad one? The freedom to believe -- or not -- is one of the most sacred privileges of the human mind. That freedom is taken away in the name of Islam. Statistics that indicate that Islam is growing are not an accurate reflection of the hearts of the people, because they really have no choice. Until those who are not Muslims are free to practice their faith in Muslim countries -- and those who seek to become Christians or choose another faith can do so with impunity -- Islam will never be free from the fear it can engender. I pray for such a day, when one's ultimate choice in life can be made without fear of terror and hate."
~Ravi Zacharias / Light in the Shadow of Jihad~
Samuel Anderson on Nov 11, 2009 at 16:56:33 said:
A GLANCE AT THE FUTURE:
-->From behind the wall of the Present I heard the hymns of humanity.
I heard the sounds of the bells announcing the beginning of the
prayer in the temple of Beauty. Bells moulded in the metal of emotion and poised above the holy altar -- the human heart.
From a glance at the Future I saw multitudes worshipping on the
bosom of Nature, their faces turned toward the East and awaiting
the inundation of the morning light -- the morning of Truth.
I saw the city in ruins and nothing remaining to tell man of the
defeat of Ignorance and the triumph of Light. I saw elders seated
under the shade of cypress and willow trees, surrounded by youths
listening to their tales of former times.
I saw the youths strumming their guitars and piping on their reeds
and the loose-tressed damsels dancing under the jasmine trees.
I saw the husbandmen harvesting the wheat, and the wives gathering the sheaves and singing mirthful songs.
I saw Friendship strengthened between man and all creatures, the
clans of birds and butterflies, confident and secure, winging toward
the brooks.
I saw no poverty; neither did I encounter excess. I saw fraternity and equality prevailing among man.
I saw not one physician, for everyone had the means and knowledge
to heal himself.
I saw no priest, for conscience had become the High Priest. Neither did I see a lawyer, for Nature had taken the place of the courts, and treaties of amity and companionship were in force.
I saw that man knew that he is the cornerstone of creation, and that he has raised himself above littleness and baseness and cast off the veil of confusion from the eyes of the soul; this soul now reads what the clouds write on the face of heaven and what the breeze draws on the surface of the water; now understands the meaning of the flower\'s breath and the cadence of the nightingale.
From behind the wall of the Present, upon the stage of coming ages, I saw Beauty as a groom and Spirit as a bride, and Life as the ceremonial Night of the Kedre.*
~Kahlil Gibran of Lebanon~
* A night during the Moslem Lent when God is said to grant the wishes of the devout.