01/07/2004

Detained troops had been 'forcibly escorted' into Iranian waters

Britain's diplomat row with Iran deepened last night after the MoD said that the eight British servicemen, who were allegedly detained inside the Islamic republic's territory, had in fact been "forcibly escorted" into Iranian waters.

Two sailors and six Marines, travelling in three boats, were arrested on June 21 after apparently straying into Iranian waters along the Shatt Al Arab waterway.

The men, who belong to the Royal Navy Training Team (RNTT), based in southern Iraq, were in the process of delivering a boat from Umm Qasr to Basrah when they were arrested.

During their captivity, the men were paraded before television cameras. Concerns were raised over their treatment when images of the group in blindfolds were broadcast. Footage of one sailor apologising for their supposed transgressions was also aired. They were finally released on June 25.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told the House of Commons yesterday: "In recent more detailed debriefing the crews have said that they were operating inside the Iraqi border and were forcibly escorted into Iranian territorial waters.

"Our assessment continues and will be greatly assisted by the retrieval of navigational information in the Global Positioning System equipment carried by the crews."

The MoD is still negotiating with authorities for the return of the soldiers' equipment, which includes the three boats, personal weapons, ammunition, radios and navigation equipment including echo sounders (to measure depth of water) Global Positioning Systems and up to date maritime charts.

Today the Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson said that the government will have "no compunction in speaking our mind" when discussing outstanding issues with the Iranians.

The British Ambassador in Tehran has been raising this matter daily with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he added.

(gmcg)

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