U.N. Springs Into Action on Hostage Crisis

Well, it only took six days, but the cesspool of corruption and thievery known as the U.N. has now expressed grave concern over the kidnapping of 15 British sailors.

The U.N. Security Council expressed "grave concern" Thursday over the capture of 15 British sailors and marines and called for an early resolution of the problem, including their release.

Britain failed to win support for a stronger statement deploring weeklong Iran's detention of the Britons and calling for their immediate freedom, primarily because of Russian opposition.

Britain sought Security Council help as Iran rolled back on its promise to release Faye Turney, the sole woman among the captives, and a senior Iranian official suggested all 15 Britons might be put on trial.

Iran's military chief, Gen. Ali Reza Afshar, said that because of the "wrong behavior" of the British government, "the release of a female British soldier has been suspended," the semiofficial Iranian news agency Mehr reported.

I'm sure the Iranians are quaking in their boots. Surely, condemnation and a strongly worded letter of more concern are to follow.