Germans held in Iran accused of espionage

[Elijah]

Germans held in Iran accused of espionage
Published: 16 Nov 10 11
http://www.thelocal.de/national/20101116-31205.html

[GiC]

Germans held in Iran accused of espionage
Published: 16 Nov 10 11
http://www.thelocal.de/national/20101116-31205.html

You'd think that by now westerners would learn that the only viable excuse to visit Iran is as part of an invasion force. Obviously Iran's propaganda machine is at it again, it's a frightened and cowardly regime; but seriously, what did these guys expect?

[Cognomen]

I suppose I should be grateful that my visa was canceled. It might have turned into an extended visit.   

[CRCulver]

You'd think that by now westerners would learn that the only viable excuse to visit Iran is as part of an invasion force.

Tens of thousands of tourists visit Iran every year with no problems and come back with stories of how friendly the people were and how beautiful the country's attractions are. This pair of Germans, or those hikers who even Western sources think pretty shady, are not enough to completely discourage visiting the country.

[GiC]

You'd think that by now westerners would learn that the only viable excuse to visit Iran is as part of an invasion force.

Tens of thousands of tourists visit Iran every year with no problems and come back with stories of how friendly the people were and how beautiful the country's attractions are. This pair of Germans, or those hikers who even Western sources think pretty shady, are not enough to completely discourage visiting the country.

It's pretty obvious that those hikers were innocent and just got lost...they had the misfortune of getting lost close to the border of a barbaric, illegitimate, totalitarian, and fanatical regime. Probably shouldn't have been in that region of the world without an armed guard in the first place, but they got more than they lesson they deserved.

Well, have fun and don't come crying to the rest of us when you're being tortured in an Iranian prison...maybe you could plan a layover in North Korea to round out your trip.

[CRCulver]

...maybe you could plan a layover in North Korea to round out your trip.

Is that supposed to sound clever? There already are established (though rather expensive) tours of North Korea that thousands of people go on annually, coming back with pics of all the propaganda sites they are ushered around and reports of lousy hotel food.

As brutal as Iran is (and it's hardly more brutal than, say, Uzbekistan which doesn't get the same "stay away!" reputation), it's the Iranian people who suffer from the regime. Cases of tourists having serious problems with officialdom are rare.

[GiC]

...maybe you could plan a layover in North Korea to round out your trip.

Is that supposed to sound clever? There already are established (though rather expensive) tours of North Korea that thousands of people go on annually, coming back with pics of all the propaganda sites they are ushered around and reports of lousy hotel food.

As brutal as Iran is (and it's hardly more brutal than, say, Uzbekistan which doesn't get the same "stay away!" reputation), it's the Iranian people who suffer from the regime. Cases of tourists having serious problems with officialdom are rare.

There are many countries that are oppressive to their citizens and Iran is probably not the worst in that regard. But their political conflicts with the west make it a rather dangerous government for westerners visiting the country.

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