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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UN voices "concern" on UK sailors | UN voices "concern" on UK sailors |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The UN Security Council has agreed a statement voicing "grave concern" at Iran's capture of 15 British sailors. | The UN Security Council has agreed a statement voicing "grave concern" at Iran's capture of 15 British sailors. |
| It also calls on Tehran to allow the UK consular access to the personnel. | It also calls on Tehran to allow the UK consular access to the personnel. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Meanwhile, Iran has released a second letter, apparently written by captured Leading Seaman Faye Turney, 26, which urges the UK to withdraw from Iraq. | |
| Stronger statement | Stronger statement |
| The British ambassador to the UN, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, said the UN statement was a "good outcome" for the UK. | The British ambassador to the UN, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, said the UN statement was a "good outcome" for the UK. |
| Sir Emyr added that the unanimous statement sent the "right message" to Iran to allow access to the sailors and marines, and secure their prompt release. | Sir Emyr added that the unanimous statement sent the "right message" to Iran to allow access to the sailors and marines, and secure their prompt release. |
| 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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/6502805.stm">UK version in more detail | |
| The UK failed to win support for a stronger statement deploring Iran's actions, following opposition led by Russia. | |
| Iran's UN mission said in a statement: "This case can and should be settled through bilateral channels. | Iran's UN mission said in a statement: "This case can and should be settled through bilateral channels. |
| "The British government's attempt to engage third parties, including the Security Council, with this case is not helpful." | "The British government's attempt to engage third parties, including the Security Council, with this case is not helpful." |
| The statement was agreed following more than four hours of negotiations. | The statement was agreed following more than four hours of negotiations. |
| In full, it said: "Members of the Security Council expressed grave concern at the capture by the Revolutionary Guard and the continuing detention by the government of Iran of 15 United Kingdom naval personnel and appealed to the government of Iran to allow consular access in terms of the relevant international laws. | |
| "Members of the Security Council support calls, including by the secretary general in his March 29 meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, for an early resolution of this problem including the release of the 15 UK personnel." | |
| Legal proceeding | |
| Speaking on the BBC's Question Time, Labour Party chairman Hazel Blears said she deplored the way LS Turney, the only female to be seized, had been "singled out" by the Iranians. | |
| Former British Ambassador to Iran Sir Richard Dalton told Newsnight the situation could take some time to resolve. | |
| "Either they can accede to the demand that they release these people or they can put them, as they've threatened, in front of some form of legal proceeding," he said. | |
| The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized on Friday after boarding a vessel in the northern Gulf and returning to their boats. | The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized on Friday after boarding a vessel in the northern Gulf and returning to their boats. |
| Iran says they strayed into Iranian territorial waters, a claim which the UK denies. | Iran says they strayed into Iranian territorial waters, a claim which the UK denies. |
| 'Incorrect attitude' | |
| Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said using LS Turney for propaganda purposes was "outrageous and cruel". | |
| The second letter, released by the Iranian embassy in London and addressed to British MPs, states: "Isn't it time for us to start withdrawing our forces from Iraq and let them determine their own future?" | |
| It also says that "even through our wrongdoing" the Iranians have "treated us well and humanely". | |
| Ali Larijani, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, said the release of LS Turney had been delayed, and spoke about the UK's "incorrect attitude". |