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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Iran releases new 'Turney letter' | Iran releases new 'Turney letter' |
| (10 minutes 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, urges the UK to withdraw its troops from Iraq. | The letter, apparently signed by Leading Seaman Faye Turney, urges the UK to withdraw its troops from Iraq. |
| Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said using LS Turney for propaganda purposes was "outrageous and cruel". | Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said using LS Turney for propaganda purposes was "outrageous and cruel". |
| Meanwhile, the UK has asked the UN to back a statement expressing concern over the detention of the personnel. | Meanwhile, the UK has asked the UN to back a statement expressing concern over the detention of the personnel. |
| 'Well treated' | 'Well treated' |
| 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?" | 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?" |
| It also says that "even through our wrongdoing" the Iranians have "treated us well and humanely". | It also says that "even through our wrongdoing" the Iranians have "treated us well and humanely". |
| We have not seen this letter but we have grave concerns about the circumstances in which it was prepared and issued Margaret BeckettForeign Secretary | We have not seen this letter but we have grave concerns about the circumstances in which it was prepared and issued Margaret BeckettForeign Secretary |
| 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. | 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 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. |
| 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' | '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 | Footage 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." | 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". | 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. | 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. | UK ambassador to the UN Sir Emyr Jones Parry circulated a draft text among members. |
| Statement 'watered down' | Statement 'watered down' |
| It called for the "immediate release" of the crew. | 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." | 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 | 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. |
| 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 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. | |
| 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 | 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. |
| 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. |