Richard Tafoya
Apr 6th, 2007, 09:30 PM
NY Sun:
http://www.nysun.com/article/51853
The Iranian diplomat released Tuesday preceding the announcement that Iran (http://www.nysun.com/related_results.php?term=Iran) would free the 15 British sailors it had taken hostage was being held in a joint Iraqi and American facility, and was released in part because of a decision at the highest levels of the American government.
The decision to release Jalal Sharafi (http://www.nysun.com/related_results.php?term=Jalal+Sharafi) on Tuesday was made at the White House (http://www.nysun.com/related_results.php?term=The+White+House), according to an administration official who asked to be anonymous because of the sensitivity of the information. The release took place over the objections of some commanders in the field. Mr. Sharafi, the second secretary of the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, is believed by American military intelligence also to be a member of the lethal Quds Force, the terrorist-supporting organization whose members have been fair game for American soldiers and Iraqi allies since a change in the rules of engagement was issued in December.
The origins of Mr. Sharafi's detention and the decision to release him shed new light on the high-stakes diplomacy between Britain and Iran over the fate of the British sailors.
Both Prime Minister Blair and President Bush (http://www.nysun.com/related_results.php?term=George+W.+Bush) yesterday welcomed the decision to release the 15 royal marines, whose confessions were broadcast on Iranian television. While there was speculation in both the American and British press that Mr. Bush's remarks earlier this week referring to the sailors as "hostages" had caused a breach in the
American-British relationship, the new information suggests the two English-speaking allies had been coordinating closely throughout the crisis.
The release of Iranian nationals detained by America (http://www.nysun.com/related_results.php?term=United+States) was one of the primary Iranian demands during the negotiations. "They think they won this round. They were able to take the hostages and suffer no consequences," an American official said.
At the same time, many Iranians remain in American custody, including the five men alleged to be members of the Quds Force. They were captured January 10 during a raid of an Iranian outpost in Irbil. Yesterday, Iran's press reported that Washington had agreed to allow emissaries from Tehran to visit the five Iranians being held. Prime Minister Maliki has also called for their release.
http://www.nysun.com/article/51853
The Iranian diplomat released Tuesday preceding the announcement that Iran (http://www.nysun.com/related_results.php?term=Iran) would free the 15 British sailors it had taken hostage was being held in a joint Iraqi and American facility, and was released in part because of a decision at the highest levels of the American government.
The decision to release Jalal Sharafi (http://www.nysun.com/related_results.php?term=Jalal+Sharafi) on Tuesday was made at the White House (http://www.nysun.com/related_results.php?term=The+White+House), according to an administration official who asked to be anonymous because of the sensitivity of the information. The release took place over the objections of some commanders in the field. Mr. Sharafi, the second secretary of the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, is believed by American military intelligence also to be a member of the lethal Quds Force, the terrorist-supporting organization whose members have been fair game for American soldiers and Iraqi allies since a change in the rules of engagement was issued in December.
The origins of Mr. Sharafi's detention and the decision to release him shed new light on the high-stakes diplomacy between Britain and Iran over the fate of the British sailors.
Both Prime Minister Blair and President Bush (http://www.nysun.com/related_results.php?term=George+W.+Bush) yesterday welcomed the decision to release the 15 royal marines, whose confessions were broadcast on Iranian television. While there was speculation in both the American and British press that Mr. Bush's remarks earlier this week referring to the sailors as "hostages" had caused a breach in the
American-British relationship, the new information suggests the two English-speaking allies had been coordinating closely throughout the crisis.
The release of Iranian nationals detained by America (http://www.nysun.com/related_results.php?term=United+States) was one of the primary Iranian demands during the negotiations. "They think they won this round. They were able to take the hostages and suffer no consequences," an American official said.
At the same time, many Iranians remain in American custody, including the five men alleged to be members of the Quds Force. They were captured January 10 during a raid of an Iranian outpost in Irbil. Yesterday, Iran's press reported that Washington had agreed to allow emissaries from Tehran to visit the five Iranians being held. Prime Minister Maliki has also called for their release.