Iran outlines conditions for release of UK sailors

[cal04]

Iran's most senior diplomat, Ali Larijani, called for a "delegation" to rule on whether a British naval patrol entered Iranian waters last month before his government would release the 15 marines and sailors it is holding captive.

Laying out what appeared to be a vague road map for the freeing of the British personnel, Mr Larijani said that if it was found they had crossed into Iranian territory, there should be an apology and they would then be released.

He gave some conciliatory signals in an interview with Channel Four News, saying the Iranian government was not interested in putting the detainees on trial, but warned that might change if Britain attempted to impose more international pressure on Tehran. "We are not interested in this issue getting more complicated," said Mr Larijani, the secretary-general of Iran's national security council.

"Our interest is in solving this problem as soon as possible. This issue can be resolved and there is no need for any trial. There should be a delegation to review the case ... to clarify whether they have been in our territorial waters or not."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,2048797,00.html

[crikkett]

1. meanwhile, iranian diplomats seized by US in Iraq are still held captive

weeks and weeks later.

[Igel]

3. Yes, most are.

It should simply be admitted they were in disputed territory, which means Iranian territory; the US and Britain should apologize for violating Iran's sovereignty and let the Aryans take over.

[Kagemusha]

2. I found this paragraph interesting...

"Foreign Office officials said they were studying Mr Larijani's comments. His remarks could be a response to an offer by Britain to send a team of naval experts and diplomats to discuss how to avoid a repetition of the crisis."

Sending a team of experts and diplomats to discuss how to have this happen again. Yes, that's how Britain would have tried to resolve this in the first place UNTIL TONY BLAIR OPENED HIS BIG FAT MOUTH.

Now they're trying to walk the hands of the clock backwards.