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UK presses UN over Iran sailors Iran releases new 'Turney letter'
(about 2 hours later)
Britain has asked the UN to support a statement expressing grave concern about the continuing detention of 15 Royal Navy sailors in Iran. 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.
UK ambassador to the UN Sir Emyr Jones Parry has circulated a draft text among member states at the organisation's headquarters in New York. The letter, apparently signed by Leading Seaman Faye Turney, urges the UK to withdraw its troops from Iraq.
Iran says the sailors illegally entered its waters - which the UK denies. Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said using LS Turney for propaganda purposes was "outrageous and cruel".
Iran said it has delayed the release of the only woman among the crew because of the UK's "incorrect attitude". Meanwhile, the UK has asked the UN to back a statement expressing concern over the detention of the personnel.
On Thursday it released a second letter apparently written by Leading Seaman Faye Turney calling on the UK to start withdrawing its troops from Iraq. 'Well treated'
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." The 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?"
She said using LS Turney for propaganda was "outrageous and cruel". It also says that "even through our wrongdoing" the Iranians have "treated us well and humanely".
Release call We have not seen this letter but we have grave concerns about the circumstances in which it was prepared and issued Margaret BeckettForeign Secretary
The draft statement circulated among UN Security Council calls for the "immediate release" of the crew. 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.
It begins: "Members of the Security Council note with grave concern the continuing detention by the government of Iran of 15 UK naval personnel." It was accompanied by another letter "written" by the 26-year-old sailor to her family.
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.
Footage released by Iran showed a military briefingFootage released by Iran showed a military briefing
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."
She said using LS Turney for propaganda was "outrageous and cruel".
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 statement also notes that the Britons were operating in Iraqi waters under a mandate from the Security Council.
Iran released video footage on Thursday which it said shows the British crew being seized in Iranian waters.
It also showed a military briefing in which charts were shown indicating the crew were in Iranian waters.
Watered down
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.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.A Foreign Office spokesman said it was hoped the UN would release the statement later on Thursday.
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
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.
Footage 'a disgrace' Separate to the letter Iran released on Thursday new footage of the British crew being seized which it said showed they were illegally in Iranian waters.
On Wednesday, Iranian state television broadcast an interview with Leading Seaman Faye Turney and a letter she had apparently written. 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 class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6505509.stm">Scots marine among captives class="" href="/1/hi/england/devon/6507079.stm">Neighbours 'shock' at capture
But on Thursday, Ali Larijani, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, said the release of LS Turney - which had been widely expected - had been delayed. Iran's state TV also showed a military briefing in which charts were shown indicating the crew were in Iranian waters.
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 Before the release of the second letter Prime Minister Tony Blair said Iran's decision to show footage of LS Turney was a "disgrace".
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.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Thursday 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."
Those who know the LS Turney have spoken of their shock at the news her release may be delayed.
The family have asked us to pray for Faye but it is very low key as they have requested, there are no special services Rev Sue Caddyvicar at Oxon Church Neighbours 'shock' at capture
The Rev Sue Caddy, vicar at Oxon Church, near Shrewsbury, where LS Turney was married in 2002, said the congregation was praying for her.
She said: "The family have asked us to pray for Faye but it is very low key as they have requested, there are no special services."
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.