Britain lets its image become hostage, too BY John O. Sullivan

LONDON -- To understand what is happening in the Persian Gulf, try a thought experiment. Imagine that the British 10 days ago had stopped an Iranian ship in Iranian waters, took its sailors prisoners, paraded them on TV offering apologies for their trespassing and was demanding an apology from the Iranian government itself for breaking international law.
Condemnations would pour from the United Nations and other international bodies. Britain's allies in Europe and the United States would press for the release of the Iranians. Human rights bodies would point out Britain's actions were in direct violation of the Geneva Convention. And other non-governmental organizations would attempt to drag British leaders such as Prime Minister Tony Blair before the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges. Some of these responses would originate in Britain itself. Opposition parties would propose motions of censure in Parliament.

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