People all over the world for peace and democracy、united! Go all out for a democratic China! Democracy、Freedom、Fairness、Rule by Law、Human Right、Better Life!
Homepage - > NewsandArticles
Britain Responds to Iranian Letter on Detained Bri
Date: 3/31/2007 11:20:59 AM Sender: By VOA News

                             Britain Responds to Iranian Letter on Detained British Personnel
                                                      By VOA News
                                                     31 March 2007
  
按此在新窗口浏览图片
Iranian state-run Al-Alam television image of detained British sailors, 30 Mar. 2007

Britain has responded to a letter from Iran concerning Tehran＇s detention of 15 British sailors and marines.

Officials in London Saturday said a written response was issued to the communiqué that Iran sent to Britain on Thursday.  The officials did not reveal the contents of the letter, which is believed to be the first written communication between the two nations since the crisis began March 23.

Iran＇s ambassador to Russia said his government has begun a legal investigation into its assertion that the British naval personnel violated Iranian waters.  Gholam-Reza Ansari was quoted on Russian television as saying the 15 could be punished if convicted.

Britain＇s foreign secretary Saturday called on Iran to resolve the crisis peacefully.  Speaking on the sidelines of an EU summit in Germany, Margaret Beckett said London is continuing to express its willingness to engage in dialogue with Iran.

Britain says the naval personnel were in Iraqi waters when they were overwhelmed by a larger force from Iran＇s Revolutionary Guards.  Tehran says they illegally entered Iranian waters when they were picked up in the disputed Shatt al-Arab waterway between Iran and Iraq.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair criticized Tehran for releasing video of the detainees, saying the images only add to people＇s disgust at their treatment and risked further isolating Tehran.  He said their safe release is the only solution to the crisis.

The U.N. Security Council has expressed "grave concern" about the detention, and called for an early resolution to the standoff.

After a Friday meeting in Germany, European Union foreign ministers warned Iran that the EU will take "appropriate measures" if the 15 are not released immediately.

The ministers said all evidence indicates the British service members were in Iraqi waters, and that their detention violates international law.

中国民主党           主席：王军    China Democracy Party    Chairman: Wang, Jun
Address:               41-25   Kissena   Blvd.   FLR 1 #110,   Flushing,   NY   11355   USA
 Website:                            http://www.cdpwu.org                                 http://www.cdpwu.org/en
  E-mail: cdpwu1998@gmail.com  cdpwu@yahoo.com(yahoo email Password Stolen Dont Use)