http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/world/middleeast/02iraq.html
MAIN IDEA: Three Western hikers who "accidently" crossed from Iraq into Iran, claim that they are innocent of charges of spying for the U.S. The U. S. State Department, which only recently heard of the incident, plans to begin negotiations with Iran.
AUTHOR'S PURPOSE: To inform the reader that this incident is not the first time that this has occurred, and that Iran has a record of capturing people who cross its borders.
QUESTIONS:
- How is this different from when it happens in the U.S?
It is not very different from when the people cross from Mexico into the U.S. But Mexico does not make a big deal about it.
- What is the U.S. doing to rescue the hikers?
The State Department of the U.S. is seeking channels of communication with the Iranian government.
- Will this cause more tension between Iran and the West?
Iran is making an effort to defuse the situation by already releasing one of the hikers.
- What is the relationship between the picture and the article?
Iraq and Iran are considered part of the same region. The relationship is to show that, although the hiker incident took place, there are still heavy losses occuring in Iraq.
