One UK Sailor to Be Freed in 'the Near Future' - Iran Radio

Mar 29, 04:10 AM

Current Headlines: Text of report by Iranian radio on 29 March

Tehran, 29 March: The foreign minister said that Iran has agreed to British requests for consular access to the captured British soldiers. Manuchehr Mottaki who was speaking to Associated Press in Riyadh made no reference to a time when such a meeting would take place.

Mottaki added that British officials must accept that British soldiers entered Iranian Waters without permission adding that admitting fault is a starting point for solving the problem.

The minister of foreign affairs also said that the female British sailor, who was detained along with 14 other servicemen for disregarding Iran's marine borders, will be freed in the near future. In a TV interview which was also broadcast by the Arabic station Al-Alam, the female British sailor Faye Turney spoke of the appropriate treatment [received] from the Iranian forces and said that she had apologized to the Iranians for invading Iranian territorial waters in a letter.

[Seaman Turney's voice in English]: My name is leading seaman Faye Turney

[Voice over]: My name is leading seaman Faye Turney from Britain and I admit freely that we entered Iranian waters illegally. The Iranians have dealt with us in a warm, friendly and well-considered manner. This shows their hospitable spirit. They have explained the reason for our detention. We have not witnessed any aggressive, strong or cruel behaviour.

[Seaman Turney's voice in English]: There was no aggression.

The CNN reporter has said that Iran's decision to free the female sailor is due to the value attached to the station of women. Anish Raman added that Iran is treating the British sailors well; even as many Iranians he has interviewed express displeasure over the British presence in the Iranian waters of Arvand River.

Meanwhile, Britain has announced that Iran's decision to release the female solider is not enough and that Tehran must also release the [other] British soldiers. In a news story dateline New York, AFP has reported that the British representation to the UN has, in a draft statement submitted to the UNSC, asked members to support Britain in its efforts to free the soldiers. The British foreign minister has announced that her country will be suspending relations with Iran until the crisis related to the arrest of 15 Britain in the Arvand River has come to a resolution.

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