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Iran releases new 'Turney letter' Iran releases new 'Turney letter'
(about 13 hours later)
Iran has released a second letter apparently written by the only female member of the 15-strong Royal Navy crew it captured in the Gulf.Iran has released a second letter apparently written by the only female member of the 15-strong Royal Navy crew it captured in the Gulf.
The letter, apparently signed by Leading Seaman Faye Turney, says she is being treated "well and humanely".The letter, apparently signed by Leading Seaman Faye Turney, says she is being treated "well and humanely".
It adds: "Isn't it time for us to start withdrawing our forces from Iraq and let them determine their own future?"It adds: "Isn't it time for us to start withdrawing our forces from Iraq and let them determine their own future?"
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said using LS Turney for propaganda purposes was "outrageous and cruel". Chancellor Gordon Brown said using LS Turney for propaganda purposes was "cruel, callous and inhuman".
We have not seen this letter but we have grave concerns about the circumstances in which it was prepared and issued Margaret BeckettForeign Secretary After the release of the second letter Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said: "We have not seen this letter but we have grave concerns about the circumstances in which it was prepared and issued."
On Wednesday Iranian TV showed footage of LS Turney giving an interview in which she said the British crew had "trespassed" in Iranian waters - something the UK denies. 'Incorrect attitude'
On Wednesday Iranian TV showed footage of LS Turney, from Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, giving an interview in which she said the British crew had "trespassed" in Iranian waters - something the UK denies.
It was accompanied by another letter "written" by the 26-year-old sailor to her family.It was accompanied by another letter "written" by the 26-year-old sailor to her family.
UK VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Crew boards merchant ship 1.7NM inside Iraqi waters2 HMS Cornwall was south-east of this, and inside Iraqi waters3 Iran tells UK that merchant ship was at a different point, still within Iraqi waters4 After UK points this out, Iran provides alternative position, now within Iranian waters UK version in more detail
On Thursday, Ali Larijani, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, said the release of LS Turney, which had been widely expected, had been delayed.On Thursday, Ali Larijani, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, said the release of LS Turney, which had been widely expected, had been delayed.
'Propaganda'
He talked about the UK's "incorrect attitude", which appeared to refer to the UK's refusal to agree the crew had been in Iranian waters.He talked about the UK's "incorrect attitude", which appeared to refer to the UK's refusal to agree the crew had been in Iranian waters.
Footage released by Iran showed a military briefing At the UN headquarters in New York, the security council voiced its "grave concern" at Iran's capture of the 15 British sailors and called on Tehran to allow the UK consular access to them.
After the release of the second letter Mrs Beckett said: "We have not seen this letter but we have grave concerns about the circumstances in which it was prepared and issued." The statement is a watered-down version as the UK wanted it to "deplore" Iran's detention of the Britons and call for their immediate release.
She said using LS Turney for propaganda was "outrageous and cruel". Iran, which the UK later said had sent a note to the British embassy, responded by saying it was not helpful to try to engage third parties.
At the UN headquarters in New York the UK asked the security council to support a statement expressing grave concern about the continuing detention of the crew.
UK ambassador to the UN Sir Emyr Jones Parry circulated a draft text among members.
Statement 'watered down'
It called for the "immediate release" of the crew.
It began: "Members of the Security Council note with grave concern the continuing detention by the government of Iran of 15 UK naval personnel."
UK VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Crew boards merchant ship 1.7NM inside Iraqi waters2 HMS Cornwall was south-east of this, and inside Iraqi waters3 Iran tells UK that merchant ship was at a different point, still within Iraqi waters4 After UK points this out, Iran provides alternative position, now within Iranian waters UK version in more detail
The statement also notes that the Britons were operating in Iraqi waters under a mandate from the Security Council.
The BBC understands the language of the draft statement, being discussed behind closed doors, has been watered down because of reservations from some council members.
A Foreign Office spokesman said it was hoped the UN would release the statement later on Thursday.
The UN secretary-general has spoken to Iran's foreign secretary about the issue, at an Arab summit in Saudi Arabia.The UN secretary-general has spoken to Iran's foreign secretary about the issue, at an Arab summit in Saudi Arabia.
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he had also spoken briefly to Iran's foreign minister and reiterated the EU's call for an end to the "illegal" detention.European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he had also spoken briefly to Iran's foreign minister and reiterated the EU's call for an end to the "illegal" detention.
Separate to the letter, Iran also released on Thursday new footage of the British crew being seized which it said showed they were illegally in Iranian waters.Separate to the letter, Iran also released on Thursday new footage of the British crew being seized which it said showed they were illegally in Iranian waters.
The important thing is we just keep making it very, very clear to the Iranian government it is not a situation that will be relieved by anything but the unconditional release of all our people Tony Blair Scots marine among captives Neighbours 'shock' at capture
Iran's state TV also showed a military briefing in which charts were shown indicating the crew were in Iranian waters.Iran's state TV also showed a military briefing in which charts were shown indicating the crew were in Iranian waters.
The important thing is we just keep making it very, very clear to the Iranian government it is not a situation that will be relieved by anything but the unconditional release of all our people Tony Blair Scots marine among captives Neighbours 'shock' at capture
Before the release of the second letter Prime Minister Tony Blair said Iran's decision to show footage of LS Turney was a "disgrace".Before the release of the second letter Prime Minister Tony Blair said Iran's decision to show footage of LS Turney was a "disgrace".
"I just think it's completely wrong, a disgrace actually, when people are used in that way," he said."I just think it's completely wrong, a disgrace actually, when people are used in that way," he said.
"That's contrary to all international laws and conventions, and is not going to make any difference to us.""That's contrary to all international laws and conventions, and is not going to make any difference to us."
He added: "The important thing is we just keep making it very, very clear to the Iranian government it is not a situation that will be relieved by anything but the unconditional release of all our people."He added: "The important thing is we just keep making it very, very clear to the Iranian government it is not a situation that will be relieved by anything but the unconditional release of all our people."
Iran has not disclosed where the service personnel are being held, but the BBC has been told they are at a military base in Tehran.Iran has not disclosed where the service personnel are being held, but the BBC has been told they are at a military base in Tehran.
Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Charles Style, has produced data which he said proved the boarding party was 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi waters.Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Charles Style, has produced data which he said proved the boarding party was 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi waters.
The Iranian embassy in London said the Britons had been 0.5 km inside Iranian territorial waters.The Iranian embassy in London said the Britons had been 0.5 km inside Iranian territorial waters.