The rebuke was a mild one, expressing "grave concern," and calling for "an early resolution of the problem." After four hours of heated debate, the divided council dropped stronger language censuring Iran, and the statement did not say, as Britain had hoped, that the British patrol vessels had been in Iraqi waters.
But even that low-key wording drew an angry response from Iran's UN mission, which shot back that the "British government's attempt to engage third parties" in the case was "not helpful." Iran's top negotiator Ali Larijani had already warned that Britain had "miscalculated" in taking its grievance to the Security Council, saying "they have created a ballyhoo" that would not resolve the issue.
Tensions rose earlier when Iran backtracked on an offer to release Faye Turney, the only woman in the group of British sailors and marines, broadcasting a video clip of her "confessing" she had "trespassed" inside Iranian waters, and demanding an apology from Britain.
Tensions rose earlier when Iran backtracked on an offer to release Faye Turney, the only woman in the group of British sailors and marines, broadcasting a video clip of her "confessing" she had "trespassed" inside Iranian waters, and demanding an apology from Britain.
Yesterday, Iran released another letter it claimed had been written by Turney, 26, that also said her group had "entered into Iranian waters," which Britain strenuously denies.
Read More Here: Toronto Star
Talk Show America 3/30/2007
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