Iranian leader says he'll free Britons

[Otto 83]

TEHRAN, Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran would free the 15 detained British sailors and marines Wednesday as a "gift" to the British people.

He said the captives, who were seized while on patrol in the northern Persian Gulf on March 23, would be taken to Tehran airport at the end of the news conference that he was addressing.

However, an Iranian official said the captive British sailors and marines will be handed over to the British Embassy in Tehran.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's office says it welcomes the news.

"On the occasion of the birthday of the great prophet (Muhammad) ... and for the occasion of the passing of Christ, I say the Islamic Republic government and the Iranian people — with all powers and legal right to put the soldiers on trial — forgave those 15," Ahmadinejad said, referring to the Muslim prophet's birthday on March 30 and the Easter season.

"This pardon is a gift to the British people," he said.

His announcement came shortly after he pinned a medal on the chest of the Iranian coast guard commander who intercepted the sailors and marines.

Ahmadinejad said Iran will never accept trespassing in its territorial waters.

"On behalf of the great Iranian people, I want to thank the Iranian coast guard who courageously defended and captured those who violated their territorial waters," he said.

"We are sorry that British troops remain in Iraq and their sailors are being arrested in Iran," Ahmadinejad said.

He criticized Britain for deploying Leading Seaman Faye Turney, one of the 15 detainees, in the Gulf, pointing out that she is a woman with a child.

"How can you justify seeing a mother away from her home, her children? Why don't they respect family values in the West?" he asked of the British government

Source

[Lizzy 0]

Thats good news.

[Caladan 19]

Sounds like they managed a way for Iran to save face.

[George and Jenny 0]

Let's all pray for world peace now and forever! Thanks Iran, It was the right decesion!

[GaryC 7]

They just got all the political play they could out of it.

[mawilson 2,133]

Let's all pray for world peace now and forever! Thanks Iran, It was the right decesion!

"Thanks, Iran"? "Gift to the British people"? What a joke.

I'd like to see them kidnap 15 Israeli marines, they'd be being bombed back to the stone age right about now.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Probably because Nejad didn't want to give a "face save" (as in from Congress/Senate) to W--who would, by having a ready excuse to invade Iran, get such.

Edited April 4, 2007 by CherryXS

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Sounds like they managed a way for Iran to save face.

Complete with lots of crude PR spin. "You affronted us, but we forgive you".

[Niels Bohr 72]

It is definitely good news!

[Karen_L 1]

TEHRAN, Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran would free the 15 detained British sailors and marines Wednesday as a "gift" to the British people.

It's more like Iran is releasing them as a "gift" to themselves since, really... what else could they have realistically done other than eventually release them? Capturing those sailors was, imo, just a way for Iran to get some attention, break some b@lls, stick its tongue out at The West, and cause some trouble. But it IS good to know that the Iranian gov't is still operating under some common sense and hasn't completely gone kwazy and it is good to hear that those sailors will soon be on their way home.

[mawilson 2,133]

... W--who would, by having a ready excuse to invade Iran, get such.

Oh, it will happen - the only question is "when".

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

... W--who would, by having a ready excuse to invade Iran, get such.

Oh, it will happen - the only question is "when".

Hopefully not in the near future...

[Saddle Bronc 124]

... W--who would, by having a ready excuse to invade Iran, get such.

Oh, it will happen - the only question is "when".

I only stated that it removes the EXCUSE for him--not necessarily the motivations.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Oh Nejad....the little dude delivers ! U S confidence in him has always run high.

[mawilson 2,133]

... W--who would, by having a ready excuse to invade Iran, get such.

Oh, it will happen - the only question is "when".

I only stated that it removes the EXCUSE for him--not necessarily the motivations.

It was a good excuse for Britain to invade - not so much for W...