As President George Bush's attitude on Iraq continues to be increasingly unpopular in America, the Britsh seems to be tactically moving in a differnt direction. Looks like aside from Iraq, London, it seems, may have refused to toe the hard stance on the Iranian hostage situation as pushed by Bush.

Britain was the principal ally of America in the war after fake intelligence report said Saddam Hussein had nukes.
On another front, majority leader, Harry Reid, has also said he would try to eliminate money for the war if Bush rejects congress's proposal to set a deadline to end the combat in Iraq.

"It is believed that it was the detention of five Iranians in Kudistan by American forces, and the alleged attempt kidnapping of another five suspected Iranian militants in Iraq, that led to the action of the Iranians"

Bush had vowed to veto the bill passed by congress, which approved funding but set a deadline. He said it was full of pork. The change in tactics by the British is becoming very evident as the standoff over the detention of some of its sailors and marines by the Iranians enters its crucial stage.

The British last year, started pulling out its troops from Iraq, to the amazement of the Whitehouse.The war had been an albatross for Blair and his party. Shortly after the sailors were arrested by the Revolutonary guard in the persian gulf for allegedly trespassing in Iranian waters, the Bush admistration threw the hat into the ring, while calling on the
United nation to take action.Most Republicans, condemned the arrest, and called for their unconditional  release.

British Prime minister, tony Blair, then tried to impress Washington, by stating that if the sailors were not released, the British would take action. But when it became clear that the Britsh people and most members of his cabinet were sick of Blair dancing to the war beats of the White House, the PM changed tactics. It also dawned on Blair that, Iranians were not happy about the American interfence. At apoint the Iranians made it clear that if they were threatened, the sailors wouls face trial.

Political anlysts are of the view thayt since America has lost face in the middle east, the British feel it is safer to ignore the Americans and try negotiting with the Iranians. House speaker, Nacy Pelosi who is away to Syria refused to allow a formal position on the face-off. Even though she is drawing flaks from the Republicans, analysts believe her move was a smart one. According to them, since she was on her way to the region, it would be premature to hastly condemn the iranians.

A  news comference by President Mahmoud Ahmedinajad, scheduled for tuesday has been put off till wednesday. Chief negotiator for the Iranians, Dr Ali Larijani, on monday said the sailors would not face trial, and that diplomacy would be used to sort out the problem.