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Bush attacks Iran over captives Bush attacks Iran over captives
(about 11 hours 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.
However, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has attacked the UK as "arrogant and selfish".However, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has attacked the UK as "arrogant and selfish".
He insisted that "British occupier forces" trespassed into Iranian waters and that his country's border guards had displayed "skill and bravery".He insisted that "British occupier forces" trespassed into Iranian waters and that his country's border guards had displayed "skill and bravery".
'Inexcusable behaviour''Inexcusable behaviour'
Speaking at his mountain retreat in Camp David, Maryland, Mr Bush told reporters: "The British hostages issue is a serious issue because the Iranians took these people out of Iraqi water.Speaking at his mountain retreat in Camp David, Maryland, Mr Bush told reporters: "The British hostages issue is a serious issue because the Iranians took these people out of Iraqi water.
The British government, instead of apologising and expressing regret over the action taken, started to claim that we are in their debt President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
"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. "And I support the prime minister when he made it clear there were no quid pro quos.
"The Iranians must give back the hostages.""The Iranians must give back the hostages."
The captured navy personnel have been shown on Iranian TV
But in a speech in the city of Andinmeshk, Mr Ahmadinejad attacked Britain for failing to apologise.But in a speech in the city of Andinmeshk, Mr Ahmadinejad attacked Britain for failing to apologise.
He said: "The British occupier forces did trespass our waters. Our border guards detained them with skill and bravery."He said: "The British occupier forces did trespass our waters. Our border guards detained them with skill and bravery."
"But arrogant powers, because of their arrogant and selfish spirit, are claiming otherwise."But arrogant powers, because of their arrogant and selfish spirit, are claiming otherwise.
"After the arrest of these people, the British government, instead of apologising and expressing regret over the action taken, started to claim that we are in their debt and shouted in different international councils."After the arrest of these people, the British government, instead of apologising and expressing regret over the action taken, started to claim that we are in their debt and shouted in different international councils.
"But this is not the legal and logical way for this issue.""But this is not the legal and logical way for this issue."
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
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.
Iran's official IRNA news agency had carried a report saying Gholamreza Ansari, Iran's ambassador to Moscow, had told Russian television that legal moves had already started against the 15 and that there was a possibility they could stand trial.Iran's official IRNA news agency had carried a report saying Gholamreza Ansari, Iran's ambassador to Moscow, had told Russian television that legal moves had already started against the 15 and that there was a possibility they could stand trial.
But the agency later quoted Mr Ansari saying the television channel had made a "translation mistake" and that he had not mentioned the prospect of a trial.But the agency later quoted Mr Ansari saying the television channel had made a "translation mistake" and that he had not mentioned the prospect of a trial.
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
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said Mr Ansari's comments were "unhelpful".UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said Mr Ansari's comments were "unhelpful".
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.
Previously, US state department spokesman Sean McCormack had rejected suggestions that a swap could be made for five Iranians captured in Iraq by US forces in January.Previously, US state department spokesman Sean McCormack had rejected suggestions that a swap could be made for five Iranians captured in Iraq by US forces in January.
NegotiateNegotiate
The Iranians, believed to be members of the Revolutionary Guard, were taken in a raid in the city of Irbil, along with equipment which the Americans say shows clear Iranian links to networks supplying Iraqi insurgents with technology and weapons.The Iranians, believed to be members of the Revolutionary Guard, were taken in a raid in the city of Irbil, along with equipment which the Americans say shows clear Iranian links to networks supplying Iraqi insurgents with technology and weapons.
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.