Iranians: Government should have released female sailor

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Faye Turney's plight has touched Iranians, too: On the streets of Tehran on Thursday, several people said they thought their government should have kept its word and freed the British sailor.
Others interviewed here said they were annoyed by Britain's alleged intrusion into Iranian waters and felt their country was within its rights to seize the 15 British sailors and marines.
Even then, several said they hoped the standoff would end soon.
And some said pointedly they disliked the fact that Iranian officials had first promised to release Turney, the only woman among the 15, then backtracked as the standoff grew.
"It would not have been right [for Iran] to act indifferently about someone violating its borders, no matter if it was Britons or others who did it," said Ahmad Tabrizi, a cell phone trader.
"But it was also not fair that officials changed their word," he said. "The girl should be released."
Iran is in the middle of its Persian New Year holiday, a time when many business and government offices shut down and newspapers close. Many people go on long holidays or visit relatives.
But Iranian state television has repeatedly broadcast pictures of Turney, and many Iranians have been following the events.
Neda Kermanian, 23, an industrial design student, said the British sailors and marines "should be tried for their violation. ... But Iran should have remained honest about its promise of releasing the female sailor. I hope the case will not escalate."
Iranian public opinion can be hard to gauge because there are few independent polls.
People often feel free to discuss social and political issues among friends, and Iran has an active blogging community. But most people are less willing to express outright dissent.
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