AS a rather ancient mariner, Able Seaman RN retired of seven and a half years' service and five years' reserve, I would like to offer myself to the Iranian government as a co-operative diplomatic hostage.
As a Royal Navy reservist I was paid a shilling a day (six pence decimal), but after only 10 months of the five years my 6p per day was stopped for no reason whatsoever. That was back in 1956.
So if the Iranians accept my offer, on my return to the UK I would write about my experiences and thereby make up the monies the Admiralty surreptitiously purloined from me while a reservist.
While in Iran I would like to visit some of the historic sites of the country like Persepolis, Apadana and Sardis. And, if possible, a small Persian carpet at a reasonable price would be most acceptable.
The Defence Minister Des Browne does, as we have seen, support this type of initiative, depending on what day of the week it is, and anyway, I am a civilian.
J E PLUMTREE.
Wroughton
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