tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post201887338007610214..comments2024-03-15T06:02:30.623+00:00Comments on The Lockerbie Case: The Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103: Case closed?Robert Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03606456028430261555noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-81331543532037053672014-01-22T17:00:20.963+00:002014-01-22T17:00:20.963+00:00PPS.
Here's a little ditty/reflection from Ll...PPS.<br /><br />Here's a little ditty/reflection from Lloyd George in the Paris of 1919, courtesy of AJP Taylor:<br /><br />“Mesopotamia.......oil..…..yes, we must have Mesopotamia. Palestine…….the Holy Land…….Zionism..…..yes, we must have Palestine. Syria…….what is there in Syria? Let the French have that.” <br /><br />Thus we live with what we create.<br /><br />The solution is blindingly simple: eliminate all frogs.<br /><br />(Ref: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peacemakers-Months-That-Changed-World/dp/0719562376/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390409930&sr=1-1&keywords=peacemakers+margaret+macmillan)<br /><br />Pip, pip,<br />Robert. Quincey Riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196728122070096913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-13632686752151661772014-01-22T15:04:23.127+00:002014-01-22T15:04:23.127+00:00"Half-baked bomb plot"? A bomb plot tha..."Half-baked bomb plot"? A bomb plot that succeeded in causing a 747 to break up at cruising altitude, killing all 259 people on board and a further 11 on the ground, cannot be described as half-baked in anyone's lexicon.Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17849975010197698907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-66646847003999741622014-01-22T14:59:01.050+00:002014-01-22T14:59:01.050+00:00PS
Mordekai Vanunu. Therein lies a long and tortu...PS<br /><br />Mordekai Vanunu. Therein lies a long and tortured tale.<br /><br />Curious that the West should have taken such an interest in the deserts of the Middle East, rag-heads and, latterly, mad mullahs and Central Asia sine the introduction of the Model T. Quite beyond me, I must say.<br /><br />Speaking personally, I am the most quintessentially peace loving chappie. I don't subscribe to an eye for an eye, etc. I believe that that view simply perpetuates the prospect of our ultimate demise as what we regard as civilisation. Hell, I would even be willing to sit down with the like of Reinhardt Heyrich and talk him into the dust until he submitted to me. Reformation is the key. The only one.<br /><br />Is it any wonder why Iran goes and funds Hizbullah? I don't think so.<br /><br />I have many close friends who are bamboozled and stunned to hear that people out in the Middle East and beyond strap explosive jackets to themselves and go out to commit murder. What they, not you, fail to comprehend is that that is the level they have been reduced to in order to make their voices heard. I know you understand this.<br /><br />Raising of consciousness is what is required. I have no answers as to how to achieve that in a world where our scared democracies are in the pockets of scum who condition mass thought. One lives in hope I do have answers from another perspective though.<br /><br />Lockerbie/Zeist is simply yet another deeply unfortunate example of the consequences of our historical conduct in my view, and doubtless yours too.<br /><br />The solutions are blindingly simple, it is just a matter of adopting them.<br /><br />Pip, pip,<br />Robert.<br /><br /> Quincey Riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196728122070096913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-90408937385308772172014-01-22T12:39:19.852+00:002014-01-22T12:39:19.852+00:00Dear SM,
Well said, sir.
Robert.Dear SM,<br /><br />Well said, sir.<br /><br />Robert.Quincey Riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196728122070096913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-68398850007165482482014-01-21T21:26:59.611+00:002014-01-21T21:26:59.611+00:00FWIW, I see no signs that anybody here, in the mai...FWIW, I see no signs that anybody here, in the main, should disagree with your views on Iran. <br /><br />But I understand well your general anger. For me, the last 10 years or so has been a crude wake-up to the stream of lies and propaganda we are served.<br /><br />It seems to have no end, and from a believer in the entire package - "freedom", "democracy", "justice", "fairness" - I have learned to shake my head in disbelief.<br /><br />Lockerbie is an important example in all this. Political matters can be complicated, this case remains childishly simple. <br />Still, the Evil Empire keeps their version alive, with enough of the people.<br /><br />The story about Iran, the insane muslims. So, we must embargo them, usually a prelude to war. Claims are enough in our version of justice. Sends a nice reminder of Libya and the Lockerbie-based embargo.<br /><br />We have so clearly demonstrated our wills to start wars whenever it it not too dangerous. <br />That wars are wildly profitable for a few is nothing new. <br /><br />Only, as you point out, Iran is, unlike Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya no relatively easy pray.<br /><br />Oh, that bomb, how terrible! Well, Iran is member of NPT. Inspections are ongoing.<br />Where was the danish press to tell me about Vanunu and a program that may count hundreds of nuclear warheads that nobody is allowed to take a look at? Can't remember, is it 1000 or 10,000 US has? Along with an impressive arsenal of WMDs of any kind you can imagine.<br /><br />Yes, I stopped long ago - I think it was around the time of attack on Afghanistan - to buy the story about "them" being crazy and dangerous.<br /><br />We are, and insanely so. War after war after war, against countries in peace, for God knows what time throwing them into a turmoil that is a 100 times more deadly and suppressive. <br /> <br />Maybe it would be the same if they were as strong, but it remains to be proven, doesn't it?<br /><br /><br /><br />This hasn't much to do with Lockerbie, alright. Except that it seems that our fine democracy is all about electing the people who keep lies alive, and that so few seems to care.<br /><br />SMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13272238187226269250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-57313639475639400642014-01-21T18:25:48.230+00:002014-01-21T18:25:48.230+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213240619989073000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-79052536461042541132014-01-21T17:30:31.101+00:002014-01-21T17:30:31.101+00:00Dear Dave,
Iran is most sane, pragmatic, and has ...Dear Dave,<br /><br />Iran is most sane, pragmatic, and has enormous gonads! The West lost the Iran-Iraq War. End of.<br /><br />Iran can do what it likes. You may regard Ahmadinejad as having been a fruitcake but, take a look at his background and what he did. It is highly likely that the hostages in the US Embassy would not have survived had it not been for his input.<br /><br />Iran, much like the UK (ignoring the babblings of Farage - some Frog fart or other - etc) is a hugely tolerant country. It has seen waves of peoples traversing their lands from the original Indo-European Aryans to the Huns, the Macedonians, the Mongols and Turks. Heavens, they even accepted me with open arms for God's sake! <br /><br />In the Qoran, it says, apparently (I have yet to discover the pertinent passage), that it is forbidden to depict the human form. Check out Iranian artwork! They even have the only contemporary portrait of Genghis Khan! Suck on that!<br /><br />Yes, we all know that Teheran funds Hizbullah etc. Wouldn't you under the circumstances?! Good luck with that stuff. I would do it too.<br /><br />Yes, I am an Iran freak and proud of it. I have never been made to feel more welcome in a country than I was made to feel in Iran. I only wish that UK citizens would reciprocate to our Iranian visitors.<br /><br />Robert (in anger). Quincey Riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196728122070096913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-3228631719136664712014-01-20T23:41:27.526+00:002014-01-20T23:41:27.526+00:00Dear Quincey Riddle,
Your admiration for Iran has...Dear Quincey Riddle,<br /><br />Your admiration for Iran has led you to believe that they would have the ‘balls’ and justification to commit the atrocity to avenge their suffering at the hands of ‘the West’.<br /><br />Except the Iranian leadership would not have survived the Iraq/Iran war and the years of attrition unless they remained sane and pragmatic in their actions!<br /><br />Destroying 103, closing the straits and building nuclear weapons would weaken their security and it is their restraint to build WMD or exact revenge, despite the provocations, that deserves admiration!<br /><br />And see how easy it is to speculate the blame, because I thought the initial scapegoat of choice was the thoroughly infiltrated ‘PFLP-GC’. <br /><br />But then again they all look the same!<br />Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213240619989073000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-50159429275427872002014-01-20T17:27:42.084+00:002014-01-20T17:27:42.084+00:00The thing is, every single Air Accident Investigat...The thing is, every single Air Accident Investigator who has looked at this has concluded that the plane was brought down by a sequence of events triggered by the detonation of an IED inside a suitcase loaded in the bottom front left-hand corner of baggage container AVE4041. And there were a hell of a lot of them crawling all over the scene.<br /><br />Every single one, but this John Barry Smith person. Who seems to be American, and who doesn't seem to have seen the wreckage. Not only that, he only seems to be aware of a part of the evidence the actual AAIB investigators were aware of.<br /><br />Nonetheless, if he had plausible and persuasive arguments, I'd listen. But he doesn't. It's all half-baked assertion that simply doesn't fit with any of the evidence that's actually known about.Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17849975010197698907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-34558561530450679192014-01-20T14:58:21.693+00:002014-01-20T14:58:21.693+00:00"However the half-baked ‘bomb’ plot should ar..."However the half-baked ‘bomb’ plot should arouse suspicion"<br /><br />I don't see anything half-baked. A bomb in a plane, ample evidence of exactly the effects I would have expected.<br /><br />"and the thoughts of an aircraft accident investigator should take priority over a veterinary surgeon."<br /><br />Hilarious that you, of all, play the expert-card! That is indeed funny, given that you seem to have absolutely your own opinions, independently, of experts, fine. And available evidence too, not-so-fine.<br /><br />It wouldn't be that your loyalty towards an expert was influenced by what you already believed in, would it? ;-)<br /><br />Don't we agree that the expert-card was always a poor argument, only to be used when something better was not there?<br /><br />Another problem with that card - which you also face in this situation - is: what to do when different experts have different opinions?<br /><br />Then, what are we to do when an expert-by-name gives weak and insufficient argumentation(*), and a non-expert gives better arguments?<br /><br />I think it was ever-witty chess-player Tarrasch who said something like 'To win your game, it will not help you to be a stronger chess player than your opponent. You have to make better moves than he does!'<br /><br />SMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13272238187226269250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-40836385148230554992014-01-20T10:59:26.351+00:002014-01-20T10:59:26.351+00:00Dear Dave,
JFM has never pointed the finger of bl...Dear Dave,<br /><br />JFM has never pointed the finger of blame at anyone, including Iran. As far as your other notion about structural failure is concerned, I really can't be bothered to argue with you anymore. Like I said, speak to your baker. I am now, more than ever before, convinced that your bread is contaminated with Ergot.<br /><br />Robert.Quincey Riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196728122070096913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-16898337562755360792014-01-19T23:57:15.754+00:002014-01-19T23:57:15.754+00:00The extraordinary miscarriage of justice is a sepa...The extraordinary miscarriage of justice is a separate issue from what caused the crash.<br /><br />It seems the State is preparing to overturn Megrahi’s conviction, due to the success of PE1370 that means his conviction remains a live legal issue until they do.<br /><br />Whereas the ‘what caused it’ will be left to posterity, because the US/UK/Scottish establishment have ruled out a public enquiry into the crash.<br /><br />However the half-baked ‘bomb’ plot should arouse suspicion and the thoughts of an aircraft accident investigator should take priority over a veterinary surgeon.<br /><br />Iran has a motive for revenge, as do others, but if Iran was responsible for 103, the truth could not be kept secret and the US would not hesitate to use it as a pretext to bomb Iran and for continued sanctions.<br /><br />The fact they have not been officially charged with the crime is because the US do not have any evidence and blaming Iran is just idle diversionary speculation. <br />Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213240619989073000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-17302059824631100012014-01-19T16:53:49.229+00:002014-01-19T16:53:49.229+00:00Dear Dave,
I'm afraid you are a dying man in ...Dear Dave,<br /><br />I'm afraid you are a dying man in the middle of the Taklamakan. The place you enter but never emerge from. Good luck with that.<br /><br />Robert.<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taklamakan_DesertQuincey Riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196728122070096913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-10191259424525290662014-01-19T15:51:52.903+00:002014-01-19T15:51:52.903+00:00It sounds like we all need to change our medicatio...It sounds like we all need to change our medication?Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213240619989073000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-89879333596799278302014-01-19T12:45:50.908+00:002014-01-19T12:45:50.908+00:00A man, Mr. Jones, was originally a suspect, but wa...A man, Mr. Jones, was originally a suspect, but was reported by several witnesses who knew him well to at the time of the crime, have gone into the local grocery store, and come out carrying a box of beers.<br /><br />The police receives the following letter:<br /><br />"Sir,<br />as a concerned citizen I would like to inform you that:<br /><br />1 - Mr. Jones had several time said to neighbors that he was tired of being overweight. Why would he then buy beers?<br />2 - There were shopping carts available. Why carrying a heavy box if you could simply have rolled it?<br />3 - In that shop, that kind of beers is known to be 5-6% more expensive than in the discount shop just 100 meters away. Mr. Jones is not particularly wealthy, on the contrary he had often complained about his salary being too low. <br />If a man can carry a heavy box of beers, he can also walk a few meters to get a discount!<br />4 - Mr. Jones has surely other needs than beers. However, it seems to be the only thing he reportedly bought!<br /><br />[snipped 23 more points]<br /><br />It follows that the theory of Mr. Jones buying beers is hardly sustainable!<br />The only reasonable conclusion is, that the witnesses are not telling the truth, and so Mr. Jones could be guilty as suspected!<br /><br />I know you are very busy handling all kinds of input (which, I assume, often leads nowhere and just takes your time) and so I hope this may help you!<br /><br />Yours Truly,<br />Dave"SMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13272238187226269250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-15544788483901042242014-01-19T11:44:12.464+00:002014-01-19T11:44:12.464+00:00Dear Dave,
The thing is that, albeit that I know ...Dear Dave,<br /><br />The thing is that, albeit that I know you respect JFM and its works (though I am a tad confused as to why given your own theory regarding a hold door failure as having been responsible for the downing of 103), the galactic chasm between us lies in your apparent assertion that there was clearly no bomb despite the fact that there is a petalated hole in the fuselage at an area of the hold that is peppered with explosive reside. Obviously no bomb there then and it was all down to a structural failure on one of the safest planes on the planet.<br /><br />Frankly, this is as certifiably bonkers as Patrick Haseldine's delusions that the South African government decided it would a jolly good wheeze to murder 259 folk just to get at one of them! Now think, really carefully, do you really want to end up in the same padded cell as Patrick?<br /><br />Yours,<br />Robert Quincey Riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196728122070096913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-20747888700217220832014-01-18T16:13:28.908+00:002014-01-18T16:13:28.908+00:00Dear Dave,
I take back my earlier rather extravag...Dear Dave,<br /><br />I take back my earlier rather extravagantly rude quip about Nitrazepam. Most inconsiderate and unfair of me. Clearly you have been quite innocently consuming bread contaminated with Ergot. That's the fungus linked with LSD, in case you didn't know. Perhaps you need to speak to your baker about the source of his grain.<br /><br />Pip, pip,<br />Robert. Quincey Riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196728122070096913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-59258167404868930552014-01-18T11:43:35.545+00:002014-01-18T11:43:35.545+00:00Baz,
A Government Minister would be defiant and s...Baz,<br /><br />A Government Minister would be defiant and swear revenge when emotions are high.<br /><br />They would hardly say it was just one of those things not requiring a response.<br /><br />But to do so and anonymously is another matter after the devastation of an 8 year war.<br /><br />Particularly as the US still maintain sanctions and are not against doing a few bombing raids for effect, as Clinton did on a number of occasions to detract from his troubles in Court!<br />Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213240619989073000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-63264243144394457892014-01-18T09:57:21.808+00:002014-01-18T09:57:21.808+00:00In my review of Morag Kerr's excellent book I ...In my review of Morag Kerr's excellent book I touched upon the question of whether the position of the IED in close proximity to the skin made the explosion more effective. Oviously if the primary suitcase was deliberately positioned then it cannot have arrived from Frankfurt. <br /><br />I noted that the AAIR denied this but also noted that may have been special pleading. Walter Korsgaard of the FAC had suggested that if the IED was in the Interior of the hold the plane may have survived.<br /><br />As Rolfe notes scientific opinion seems to be divided. I did make the point that the science may be irrelevant and that it is the perception of whoever planned the bombing that is crucial.<br /><br />I wondered if the primary suitcase was deliberately positioned in order that it could be easily located when it arrived at Kennedy? I wondered if Morag Kerr's anecdote about someone smuggling a package on board The Maid of the Seas may be of some relevance? <br />bazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02338162927520376063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-79059768443104955802014-01-18T09:46:26.636+00:002014-01-18T09:46:26.636+00:00I am sure many individuals and groups hold a grudg...I am sure many individuals and groups hold a grudge against the USA. However this a matter of relations between nation states. <br />This is elementary International Relations theory.<br /> <br />As I have previously noted Mohammed Beshti, spokesman for the Iranian Embassy in London said "what our response will be we do not say but it will be an appropriate response to the magnitude of the American crime." - An APPROPRIATE response. It is possible that the Autumn Leaves arrests foiled a disproportionate response, an attack on several aircraft in the days before a Presidential Election. "Lockerbie" was the response of moderates or pragmatists. There is some anecdotal indication that this was the desire of the Ayatollah Khomeini. A "tit for tat" response was a way out and a line could be drawn. Nation States for obvious reasons not claim "responsibility" for terrorist attacks - shadowy and amorphous groups may. bazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02338162927520376063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-38273805507199237092014-01-18T04:02:37.378+00:002014-01-18T04:02:37.378+00:00Baz,
Why assume a tit-for-tat for IR655! Why not ...Baz,<br /><br />Why assume a tit-for-tat for IR655! Why not a revenge attack for all those killed in an 8 year war?<br /><br />But if revenge is a motive then all the victims of US aggression could be guilty and not forgetting those responsible for false flag operations.<br /><br />And why such a half-baked plan when an anti-aircraft missile or bomb in a crowed foyer would do?<br />Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213240619989073000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-20082280645877867272014-01-17T20:58:50.082+00:002014-01-17T20:58:50.082+00:00Dear Dave,
You simply have no notion of the exqui...Dear Dave,<br /><br />You simply have no notion of the exquisite venom that many in Iran reserved for the West at the time (mid to late 70s). I don't expect you to take my word for it, I am simply telling you what I experienced over two years in Teheran myself, just before the Shah took a nose dive. It was so damned bad that it united Muslims, Armenians, Turks and every other kind of Turkic Iranians that you can imagine. It was BAD TO THE BONE AND BEYOND! <br /><br />Iran was in no position to strangle the West's oil supply whilst distracted by a Western funded war against them via their proxy Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war (Started by Iraq at our behest). That war was an utter disgrace, a crying shame, entirely manipulated by us. Iran has never done us any harm. They have never invaded us or threatened or manipulated us in anyway in whatsoever. By contrast we have sought to cripple their economy whenever it has suited us from WWII onwards. Do we care? no. Just so long as we can fill our petrol tanks with cheap fuel, who gives a toss about the consequences in a distant land that we know little of.<br /><br />Like I said before, if I were running Iran, I'd forget about nukes, build up my navy and make damned sure I had good relations with Peking.<br /><br />Believe me when I say that I sincerely hate to be rude to folk that I haven't established a 'proper' relationship with but, frankly, You seem to have as much political nous and historical awareness as a toad on Nitrazepam. <br /><br />Robert.Quincey Riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196728122070096913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-24221271889496054572014-01-17T16:17:03.757+00:002014-01-17T16:17:03.757+00:00Quincy Riddle wrote "fortunately Iran won the...Quincy Riddle wrote "fortunately Iran won the war against all odds." I don't think so. Iraq (who had for years sought a way out)defeated the Iranians due to the decisive intervention of the United States who provided Iraq with satellite imagery transforming the effectiveness of Iraqi Artillery. The Americans were then bemused that the regime, uniquely in history, survived defeat in war. <br /><br />Of course a tit for tat response isn't silliness. An Iranian spokesman said there would be "an appropriate response to the magnitude of the American Crime." An excessive response (to attack a number of planes) would not be appropriate and neither would a strong letter to The Times. A tit for tat response drew a line in the sand and both sides could pretend retaliation hadn't occurred. It sent a message not only to the world but to the man on the Tehran omnibus. Had the Islsamic Republic not responded the regime may have crumbled.<br /><br />p.s.Rolfe - I think it is blindingly obvious why Patrick is obsessed with his South Africa theory. He was sacked from the FCO (he thinks for espousing his views on South Africa)then Lockerbie occurred with Brent Carllson on board. It was a sign from God, personal vindication. I too am motivated by my own grudge against the FCO! <br />bazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02338162927520376063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-25729915200962554842014-01-16T20:06:15.709+00:002014-01-16T20:06:15.709+00:00All,
This bing bang Indian Head, Wyatt and other...All, <br /><br />This bing bang Indian Head, Wyatt and other stuff makes for good telly and debate but, frankly is laughable, or would be if it weren't so ludicrous. The top Formula One teams spend fortunes on design, and rightly so given what they stand to gain from their investments. The lesser ones miniaturise the requirements and build accordingly in the hope of winning. The practical explosive tests that have attempted to simulate what occurred on 103 have been done in the like of standard transport containers at ground level and at ambient temperatures. The incident that took place on 103 took place at around minus 50 degrees Celsius in a sealed, pressurised vehicle travelling at, probably, around 0.85 Mach (550 MPH) and still climbing. Surely it is not beyond the wit of some interested party to construct a simulation that actually corresponds in all details to what occurred. Not that I particularly care. I spend all my money and time on this business travelling the country and sending Special Delivery documents all over the place. And, in any case, we at JFM are only interested in demolishing the Crown's legal case as was presented at Zeist. In that context, we are blessed with an embarrassment of riches.<br /><br />Pip, pip,<br />Robert.Quincey Riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196728122070096913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1073021351804532798.post-46599625962741900962014-01-16T07:58:48.405+00:002014-01-16T07:58:48.405+00:00Quincey Riddle,
You may imply through irony that ...Quincey Riddle,<br /><br />You may imply through irony that Iran did it, but this is can only be based on the assumption they would seek revenge for IR655 in such a copy-cat, half-baked and anonymous way!<br /> <br />Except they wouldn’t, because it was not in Iran’s interest to provide US with a genuine pretext to bomb and/or enforce sanctions against them!<br /><br />And even if they were crazy enough to do so they would also be crazy enough to claim responsibility too, particularly as it is not something that can be kept secret, with or without ‘PFLP-GC’ involvement.<br /><br />Closing the Straits of Hormuz is their nuclear option, but nuclear options can’t really be used, because they are a doomsday option of mutual destruction.<br /> <br />This is why throughout their war with Iraq, estimates of a million casualties, they did not make matters worse by ‘closing the straits’!<br /><br />(Equally this is why Iran is not developing a nuclear bomb because this would weaken their security by alarming all their neighbours, create an arms race, pretext for war and take resources away from more effective conventional weapons.<br /><br />Have our nuclear weapons been of any help to the UK in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria?<br /><br />And your assumption that ‘closing the straits’ would deter US is based on a misconception that rational American oil lobby interests are driving US policy, as opposed to an end of days ‘military industrial complex and neo-con’ lobby.<br /><br />That said, after WWIII was narrowly averted, via Syria, Obama may yet deliver on his election promises to promote peace by doing a deal with Iran.<br />Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213240619989073000noreply@blogger.com