When will the hostages be released?

[Moonbeam]

Your best guess.

Also, they say there are intense negotiations going on. Sounds like what's going on is intense blackmail.

Hope you're not buying goods made in China.

 

[JimmyEatWorld]

2.5 weeks...we placing bets now?
I've got $20 on 2.5 weeks

 

[ChrisIsBored]

The Chinese government is screwing itself up the arse.. They decided NOT to have negotiation meetings yesterday, even though the US was trying.

I can see the future, China denied WTO status, trade sactions, Taiwan's military grows from US ships.

I don't understand why they don't see all of that coming with this.

I'm guessing by this Friday they're released. At least hoping.

 

[Moonbeam]

Hey, there's got to be more opinions.

 

[DDCSpeed]

Released when china got their apology i suppose. They treat the crew pretty well and the U.S. cannot accuse China of mistreating the crew members. There isnt another third superpower nation that can step us and play middleman or at least no country will to play middleman. Everyone just like to watch chaos.

 

[Linflas]

Hard to say. From the news stories today it seems that there is disagreement between the Chinese civilian and military leadership on what to do. Furthermore there are some upcoming political events in China that are causing leaders to all be jockying for position. It seems that so far the Chinese have mis-read what this may end up doing to the relations between them and the US. My gut feeling is that the 2 sides will find a way to back down from this in the next week or 2.

 

[Gorgonzola]

im enjoying this immensely, as its great to see america in a situation they dont seem to have control of. i live in australia, and am sick to death of hearing crap about the US president, or having to see the US president comment on everything that happens in a australia. we can run our own country, we have stupid politicians of our own to listen to.

thats why i think its funny that china dont seem like they will stand down unless america apologises (which of course makes no difference anyway, as it is a forced apology, and its not going to bring the chinese pilot back to life).

 

[perry]

They'll be released as soon as a SEAL team goes in an gets them.

 

[JoeBaD]

Gorgonzola,

you're enjoying this immensely?

F_ck you asshole!

 

[Raspewtin]

my guess about three weeks.

China is really stupid for this. The long-term damage will be huge for China. It is interesting that Powell/Bush said that foreign policy will not be dictated by "crisis of the day" We will see whether U.S. policy to China changes. I think it will. I guess actually being in the hot seat changes the attitude about "crisis of the day" determining long-term political planning.

 

[fobbman]

A couple of things. Firstly, they are not "hostages". Hostages don't get to send emails to their loved ones during the captivity period. Hostages are generally blindfolded and under extreme conditions, where these people are neither. They are detainees. They are being held in good conditions whilest two polar opposite governments point fingers and lay blame.



<< I can see the future, China denied WTO status... >>



Don't forget what the WTO is and is not. It is NOT some sort of international political body. It IS a collection of high-powered executives trying to find new and unique ways to exploit smaller third-world countries. And wouldn't it be a shame that another country of executives with a horrible record of civil-rights atrocities wouldn't be able to contribute ideas on how to oppress peoples?

 

[DannyLove]

<< 2.5 weeks...we placing bets now?
I've got $20 on 2.5 weeks >>

i'll double that. I say on April 21.

danny~!

 

[visgf]

I think that China is just tired of the US dictating what happens in the world. We have been promoting a democratic government in China for years and they've grown tired of it. I'm sure they know that they aren't going to resolve anything by holding the American soldiers, but it is a chance to return some of the annoyances that we have given them for so long now.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

I can't help but believe that there are diminishing returns for China, becuase the longer they 'detain' the crew the harder it will be to morally justify doing so. I don't believe the US will apologize without also getting China to apologize... I can see something like China saying 'we are sorry to have detained the crew for so long blah blah blah...' and the US for saying 'we are sorry for allowing your plane to run into our plane in international air blah blah blah...'

Clearly, though the US will not apologize without also getting some concession from China

 

[rahvin]

<<im enjoying this immensely, as its great to see america in a situation they dont seem to have control of. i live in australia, and am sick to death of hearing crap about the US president, or having to see the US president comment on everything that happens in a australia. we can run our own country, we have stupid politicians of our own to listen to.>>

You're upset at the US because YOUR media covers US opinion? Get real, our media doesn't give a rats butt about you (The olympics was probably the last time I saw australlia in the news), why should yours care about us? To me that is your cultures problem and the US shoulders no blame because your reports seek US opinion on OZ policies.

 

[Raspewtin]

Defn of hostage is

<< A person held by one party in a conflict as security that specified terms will be met by the opposing party >>

. So really they are hostages.