Three Dutch Marines captured by Gaddafi forces during an evacuation. Negotiations underway
76 replies, posted
[release]Talks are under way to free a Dutch helicopter crew captured in Libya trying to evacuate foreign citizens, the Netherlands' defence ministry says.
The three marines landed their Lynx near the port of Sirte on Sunday, flying in from the Dutch warship Tromp, which is anchored off the Libyan coast.
"Intensive negotiations" were under way, a ministry spokesman said.
The ministry was in contact with the marines who were "doing well under the circumstances", he added.
"We hope they will be released as quickly as possible," Otte Beeksma told the Associated Press news agency.
Asked if the Dutch government considered the marines hostages, he replied: "They are being held by Libyan authorities."
Two people the marines were trying to rescue - one Dutch person and another European - were captured but have since been released and have left Libya, Dutch media say.
"It was a consular evacuation," Mr Beeksma added.
"During the operation the helicopter was grounded by an armed unit."
'A real risk'
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said news of the men's capture had been kept quiet to assist talks on their release.
Continue reading the main story
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Start Quote
It was a real risk because it's essentially impossible to defend one of those Lynx helicopters”
Christ Klep
Military historian
"These are situations that benefit from total secrecy because then you can carry out discussions in peace to ensure these people get home safely," he told Dutch news broadcaster NOS.
"It is terrible for the crew of the Lynx helicopter. Everything is being done to make sure the crew gets home."
The Tromp, which was initially to have taken part in an anti-piracy operation off Somalia, headed for the Libyan coast on 24 February.
The port city of Sirte is considered the main remaining stronghold of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in the centre of the country, as he struggles with a spreading revolt against his rule.
Military historian Christ Klep says he is surprised by the Dutch action because of the dangers of landing near Sirte.
"It seems to suggest it may have been a diplomat, for instance, or somebody of special importance anyway," he told Radio Netherlands Worldwide.
"I would have thought you would want to avoid stirring things up in Libya and not attract attention to yourself.
"There must have been a reason they were prepared to take this extra risk and it was a real risk because it's essentially impossible to defend one of those Lynx helicopters."[/release]
[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12633415[/url]
Shit. Fucking told you guys.
Haha, Gaddadi's fucking screwed now, isn't he?
:sweden:
Negotiations?
How about "Give us the marines or all of NATO shows up at your doorstep"
[QUOTE=GunFox;28413056]Negotiations?
How about "Give us the marines or all of NATO shows up at your doorstep"[/QUOTE]
[img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ELzM_S573r8/SIv1k4lJBSI/AAAAAAAAGac/dMZrWrvAFS8/s1600/Gaddafi.jpg[/img]
[b]No.[/b]
What would they capture them for?
This is one vagina Gadaffi can't stick his dick into.
yo
lets get them to respond..
by doing that no fly zone
[editline]3rd March 2011[/editline]
then invading in support of rebels
[QUOTE=Saxon;28413268]I hope his demands are at least reasonable.[/QUOTE]
Seeing how he's completely batshit, he probably asked for a bunch of whores and a rubber ducky.
Gaddafi's screwed now.
Please get them out of there safely..
[editline]3rd March 2011[/editline]
Don't understand, but I'm kinda emotional today, I nearly cried...?
Soon Gaddafi will be assasinated. Or Libya turns in to a nuclear wasteland.
[QUOTE=Miskatonic;28413074][img_thumb]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ELzM_S573r8/SIv1k4lJBSI/AAAAAAAAGac/dMZrWrvAFS8/s1600/Gaddafi.jpg[/img_thumb]
[b]No.[/b][/QUOTE]Now I get why someone called him an exhausted Lionel Richie impersonator.
What happened to "not negotiating with terrorists"?
If I were in charge, these negotiations would be conducted by additional Marines, with artillery and air support. Terms would be "you let our men go, and we let you live another day".
Then again, I was all for bombing Gaddafi years ago. Pretty much since we found out he was behind Lockerbie.
[QUOTE=gman003-main;28413687]What happened to "not negotiating with terrorists"?
If I were in charge, these negotiations would be conducted by additional Marines, with artillery and air support. Terms would be "you let our men go, and we let you live another day".
Then again, I was all for bombing Gaddafi years ago. Pretty much since we found out he was behind Lockerbie.[/QUOTE]
The Dutch aren't going to do it on their own initiative and Libya is no longer recognized as a 'Terrorist/Rogue State'. Chances are, under the curtains, NATO, or the SAS are planning out rescue operations for the captured Marines if the negotiations go awry.
[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;28413717]The Dutch aren't going to do it on their own initiative and Libya is no longer recognized as a 'Terrorist/Rogue State'. Chances are, under the curtains, NATO, or the SAS are planning out rescue operations for the captured Marines if the negotiations go awry.[/QUOTE]
I'm pretty sure Denmark could pull off the rescue themselves, but I'm sure pretty much any other sane country in the world would help them if asked. Hell, even China is pulling out of Libya - shit is that bad over there.
[QUOTE=gman003-main;28413778]I'm pretty sure Denmark could pull off the rescue themselves, but I'm sure pretty much any other sane country in the world would help them if asked. Hell, even China is pulling out of Libya - shit is that bad over there.[/QUOTE]
China is dealing with it's own protests, it would be extremely hypocritical if they even bothered about the Middle-Eastern Revolutions.
Gaddafi probably didn't directly have them captured, but if he doesn't release them, he's in deep shit.
For what i've heared they got captured and hold them because "they invaded Libya's airspace without asking promission".
Sounds legal, but i think it's defendable because of the evacuation mission.
[QUOTE=GunFox;28413056]Negotiations?
How about "Give us the marines or all of NATO shows up at your doorstep"[/QUOTE]
This.
This needs to end.
[QUOTE=Miskatonic;28413074][img_thumb]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ELzM_S573r8/SIv1k4lJBSI/AAAAAAAAGac/dMZrWrvAFS8/s1600/Gaddafi.jpg[/img_thumb]
[b]No.[/b][/QUOTE]
So greasy...
Everybody cross your fingers.
My country tried to copy the British evac, but failed miserably. This will not bring us in a better position, since the Netherlands will now have less bargaining power when it comes to imposing sanctions on Libya.
Also experts say that if they took a better equipped helicopter they would've noticed Gaddafi's forces before landing. There's been a big screw-up somewhere along the way.
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