Col. Jack Jacobs unhappy with UK Navy

Freed British Sailors Criticized For Saying They Trespassed in Iranian Waters, Apologizing
As Britain celebrated the return of its 15 sailors and Marines yesterday (April 5th) after 13 days of captivity in Iran, some of their countrymen were critical of the former captives' apparent confessions and apologies while being held. During the sailors' captivity, several videos were broadcast of them admitting to have crossed into Iranian waters and apologizing for doing so. Letters purportedly written by the only woman captive, Faye Turney, were also released, in which she apologized, and several of the crew praised their treatment in interviews with Iranian broadcasters. The Sun tabloid wrote in an editorial, "The sight of the illegally detained British forces thanking Iranian tyrants for their freedom will sicken the nation."

However, defense officials dismissed the criticism, and said none of the sailors and Marines would be punished for making the apologies. Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the chief of the defense staff, said, "They did exactly as they should have done from start to finish and we are proud of them." But Britain steadfastly maintained throughout the crisis, and still says, that the sailors hadn't violated Iranian waters, and had instead been in Iraqi waters when they were captured on May 23rd.

The freed crew arrived at London's Heathrow Airport yesterday on a British Airways jet after leaving Iran in the morning, following a surprise announcement by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that he was releasing them as an Easter gift to the British people. Although they left in suits provided to them by Iran, in which they appeared shaking hands with Ahmadinejad and smiling before they left, they changed on the plane and arrived in London in their uniforms. They also were holding bags with candy and gifts apparently given to them by the Iranians.

Questions:

Do you agree that the British sailors and Marines were wrong to have given in and made videotaped confessions and apologies, saying they trespassed in Iranian waters?

Is the British military right not to punish the former captives?