It has taken them a few days but finally the government recognises the error of its ways and reverses its decision to let the sailors sell their stories to the media.
"After a day of sustained criticism Mr Browne imposed an immediate ban on any Armed Forces personnel accepting money for television or newspaper interviews, admitting that the outcome of the sailors’ interviews “was not satisfactory”. (Times 10.4.07)
It appears that the furore yesterday was already taking its toll on some of the 15 with some giving their stories for free
"Lord Heseltine, the former deputy prime minister and defence secretary, said the decision was tantamount to saying: "Look lads, Rupert Murdoch's Sun has taken over. He's got the big cheque books and if he's prepared to pay to hell with any rules or regulations, any understandings, any customs, any traditions, it's all up for grabs.' That's called New Labour. I am profoundly shocked.
"What an extraordinary story, that people who every day take calculated risks with their lives are expected to earn relatively small sums of money whilst people who get themselves taken hostage, in circumstances which are worth exploring, can make a killing. I have never heard anything so appalling,"(Guardian 10.4.07)
Meanwhile the reality of the situation in the Middle East was brought home as President Ahmadinejad claimed
yesterday to have made a dramatic leap forward in its nuclear programme by enriching uranium "on an industrial scale", a move likely to accelerate a collision with the US and strengthen calls in Washington for military action.
In a gesture of defiance to President George Bush and the UN security council, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad trumpeted the claim, making the announcement with pomp and ceremony at the heart of Iran's nuclear programme, the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz.(Guardian 10.4.07)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment