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Bush attacks Iran over captives Bush attacks Iran over captives
(10 minutes later)
President George W Bush has condemned Iran's "inexcusable behaviour" after its capture of 15 Royal Navy personnel.President George W Bush has condemned Iran's "inexcusable behaviour" after its capture of 15 Royal Navy personnel.
The US leader added that he would "strongly support" the British government over the crisis.The US leader added that he would "strongly support" the British government over the crisis.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran was waiting for a "change in attitude" from the UK and a "moderate approach" its requests. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran was waiting for a "change in attitude" from the UK and a "moderate approach" to its requests.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has told the BBC diplomacy would continue and a "twin track approach".Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has told the BBC diplomacy would continue and a "twin track approach".
Mr Bush told reporters at Camp David: "The British hostages issue is a serious issue because the Iranians took these people out of Iraqi water.Mr Bush told reporters at Camp David: "The British hostages issue is a serious issue because the Iranians took these people out of Iraqi water.
"And it is inexcusable behaviour."And it is inexcusable behaviour.
"I strongly support the Blair government's attempts to resolve this peacefully."I strongly support the Blair government's attempts to resolve this peacefully.
"And I support the prime minister when he made it clear there were no quid pro quos. The Iranians must give back the hostages.""And I support the prime minister when he made it clear there were no quid pro quos. The Iranians must give back the hostages."
His calls were echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said Britain had the "full solidarity of the European Union".His calls were echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said Britain had the "full solidarity of the European Union".
'Note considered''Note considered'
Meanwhile, Mr Mottaki confirmed the receipt of a note from the British embassy about the military personnel, Iranian television reported.Meanwhile, Mr Mottaki confirmed the receipt of a note from the British embassy about the military personnel, Iranian television reported.
"This note contains many points which will be considered," he said."This note contains many points which will be considered," he said.
"However, we are waiting for a change in the attitude of the British and a moderate approach by this country towards Iran's legal requests. ""However, we are waiting for a change in the attitude of the British and a moderate approach by this country towards Iran's legal requests. "
The captured navy personnel have been shown on Iranian TVThe captured navy personnel have been shown on Iranian TV
Meanwhile, Mr Alexander told BBC One's Sunday AM programme diplomatic efforts would continue.Meanwhile, Mr Alexander told BBC One's Sunday AM programme diplomatic efforts would continue.
"On one hand, working closely with international partners to make clear the strength of international feeling that these British service personnel should be returned," he said."On one hand, working closely with international partners to make clear the strength of international feeling that these British service personnel should be returned," he said.
"And on the other hand exploring the potential for dialogue with the Iranians.""And on the other hand exploring the potential for dialogue with the Iranians."
IRANIAN VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Royal Navy crew stray 0.5km inside Iranian waters 2 Iran gives set of co-ordinates to back up their claims 3 According to seized GPS equipment, the Royal Navy crew had previously entered Iranian waters at several other points 4 Iran informs Britain of the position where the crew were seized, inside Iranian waters Both versions in more detailIRANIAN VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Royal Navy crew stray 0.5km inside Iranian waters 2 Iran gives set of co-ordinates to back up their claims 3 According to seized GPS equipment, the Royal Navy crew had previously entered Iranian waters at several other points 4 Iran informs Britain of the position where the crew were seized, inside Iranian waters Both versions in more detail
Britain denies Iran's claims that the UK crew was in its waters when seized on 23 March and is demanding their "immediate" return.Britain denies Iran's claims that the UK crew was in its waters when seized on 23 March and is demanding their "immediate" return.
BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said that, although there was no sign of a major diplomatic breakthrough in the crisis, there was now a sense of dialogue between the two countries.BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said that, although there was no sign of a major diplomatic breakthrough in the crisis, there was now a sense of dialogue between the two countries.
Both sides appeared to be "lowering the temperature", he added.Both sides appeared to be "lowering the temperature", he added.
The Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, told Sky News there were signs Iran had engineered the crisis for political purposes.The Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, told Sky News there were signs Iran had engineered the crisis for political purposes.
"The speed at which the marines and the sailors were captured and the way in which it happened suggests that either it had been organised before or there was a spontaneous effort made to try and get hold of some British troops for some other purposes beyond anything to do with the waters that they were operating in," he said."The speed at which the marines and the sailors were captured and the way in which it happened suggests that either it had been organised before or there was a spontaneous effort made to try and get hold of some British troops for some other purposes beyond anything to do with the waters that they were operating in," he said.
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 watersUK 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
Tory former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind welcomed statements from the EU and UN, but said "pressure" was needed.Tory former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind welcomed statements from the EU and UN, but said "pressure" was needed.
He told Sunday AM: "But if you are going to make threats of economic sanctions, for example, they have to be made privately because otherwise the Iranians are pushed into a humiliating climb-down."He told Sunday AM: "But if you are going to make threats of economic sanctions, for example, they have to be made privately because otherwise the Iranians are pushed into a humiliating climb-down."
He called for "solidarity" from EU allies over possible sanctions such as withholding export credit guarantees.He called for "solidarity" from EU allies over possible sanctions such as withholding export credit guarantees.
HAVE YOUR SAY They will have to be released by diplomatic means and I believe that this will happen Neil Whittaker, Lancashire, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY They will have to be released by diplomatic means and I believe that this will happen Neil Whittaker, Lancashire, UK Send us your comments
Meanwhile, former hostage Terry Waite, who was held captive for 1,760 days in Beirut before being released in November 1991, has offered to travel to Iran to negotiate with those holding the Britons.Meanwhile, former hostage Terry Waite, who was held captive for 1,760 days in Beirut before being released in November 1991, has offered to travel to Iran to negotiate with those holding the Britons.
Mr Waite said threatening the Iranian government was counterproductive and said he would be able to "cut through some of the rhetoric".Mr Waite said threatening the Iranian government was counterproductive and said he would be able to "cut through some of the rhetoric".
The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized by Revolutionary Guards as they returned from searching a vessel in the northern Gulf.The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized by Revolutionary Guards as they returned from searching a vessel in the northern Gulf.