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Author Topic: Three American tourists held in Iran  (Read 2366 times)

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Offline Chris

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Three American tourists held in Iran
« on: August 02, 2009, 12:26:28 AM »
Three Americans who apparently strayed across the Iranian border while on a hiking trip in the northern Iraqi region of Kurdistan are in Iranian custody, that country's state-run television reported Saturday.

The Arabic-language Al Alam station quoted an Interior Ministry official as saying the Americans, two men and a woman, were detained after they ignored warnings from border guards and crossed into Iran in a remote mountainous area about 55 miles northeast of the Kurdish town of Sulaymaniya.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said it was investigating reports that the three were missing and couldn't confirm any details. The State Department said in a statement that it had asked the Swiss government, which looks after U.S. interests in Iran, to confirm the reports with the Iranians and to seek consular access.

Although most of Iraq is considered too dangerous for tourists, the semiautonomous enclave of Kurdistan is considered safe. Americans can walk freely on the streets and drive unguarded through the countryside.

Kurdistan, long isolated from the outside world by sanctions and Saddam Hussein's regime, has tried in recent years to encourage tourists to visit, promoting itself as an off-the-beaten-track destination to adventurous hikers and mountain climbers who already have conquered the usual tourist hot spots.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-americans2-2009aug02,0,5054516.story?track=rss
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: Three American tourists held in Iran
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2009, 02:18:26 AM »
I did not realize that any part of Iraq was tourist friendly. Interesting.
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Offline docstew

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Re: Three American tourists held in Iran
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2009, 06:23:58 AM »
During my deployment to Iraq, I got to go on a day trip to Dohuk with the battalion commander.  As soon as we arrived, we got the go ahead to take off our body armor and helmets, unload rifles, and have fun shopping and such.  We were "greeted" by about 10 teenage to early 20's men who offered to be guides for us and help us buy "whiskey, porn", whatever we wanted.  Most of the vendors in the market had prices marked in USD, same with the supermarket I went into. Change was in dinar (I got back like 500 dinar for what should have been 75 cents).  The whole time I was there, I felt like I was fairly safe...  Now, I didn't go hiking in the mountains, nor would I travel there for pleasure unless I could go armed, but it is what it is.
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Offline Chris

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Re: Three American tourists held in Iran
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2009, 08:18:14 AM »
Quote from: RobJohnson on August 02, 2009, 02:18:26 AM
I did not realize that any part of Iraq was tourist friendly. Interesting.
The northern Kurdish provinces have been settled for a few years and tourism has been a steady part of their economy.  I've seen pictures of some of the resorts up there -- it's not the Bellagio, but they have some nice stuff up there.
« Last Edit: August 02, 2009, 08:38:01 AM by Chris »
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Offline GOBUCKS

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Re: Three American tourists held in Iran
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2009, 11:17:45 AM »
The Iran-Iraq border has been a tourist mecca for years.
It's especially attractive to people who are tired of how
commercialized Kashmir and Mogadishu have become.
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Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: Three American tourists held in Iran
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2009, 11:51:45 AM »
Maybe they were Human Shields that lost their way? .....or ran outta dope and were hiking their way to the poppy fields.
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Offline DumbAss Tanker

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Re: Three American tourists held in Iran
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2009, 03:43:37 PM »
Could be either intelligence or a serious lack of it involved here.  Hard to say either way.
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Offline Mr Mannn

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Re: Three American tourists held in Iran
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2009, 04:10:30 PM »
There is no way I would ever be a tourist in any muslim country. You never know when one will get "Sudden Jihad Syndrome."
I won't even go to Egypt. Unfortunately this means parts of Europe are off limits as well.
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Offline DixieBelle

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Re: Three American tourists held in Iran
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2009, 07:44:53 PM »
Why would they ignore the border guards warnings? Assuming they were warned (properly and in a language they understood) why would you risk it?
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Offline Mr Mannn

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Re: Three American tourists held in Iran
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2009, 10:18:53 PM »
Quote from: DixieBelle on August 02, 2009, 07:44:53 PM
Why would they ignore the border guards warnings? Assuming they were warned (properly and in a language they understood) why would you risk it?
More than likely Iranian crossed the border and drug the Americans over. They need scapegoats for their oppression of the protestors.
Unless something is done, these poor souls will die. Unfortunately O will do nothing.
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Offline Karin

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Re: Three American tourists held in Iran
« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2009, 07:56:29 AM »
One of the guys, identified as an "environmental worker" looked like the classic moonbat:  Piercings, scrubby facial hair, and the moonbat glasses.   I don't know what the hell these people thought they were doing.  Maybe they're the Kumbaya types who think all people are basically good and trustworthy, especially if from a culture different from theirs. 
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Offline thundley4

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Re: Three American tourists held in Iran
« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2009, 08:54:29 AM »
A report from Iran denouncing them as spies for the Imperialist US coming in 3-2-......
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