Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad confirmed Wednesday that he will release 15 British sailors and marines seized March 23 in disputed Gulf waters.
Ahmadinejad told reporters at a press conference that the navy crew, detained by Iranian coast guards, has been pardoned and will be freed soon as a "gift to the British people."
"They are free after this meeting and can go back to their families," said Ahmadinejad.
He said Iran will never accept trespassing into its territorial waters and then chastised Britain for not being "brave enough" to admit that their crew had entered Iranian 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," said Ahmadinejad.
He then interrupted his speech and pinned medals on the chests of three officers involved in the capture of the crew.
During their time in captivity, Iran released multiple videos of 'confessions' from different crew members -- widely viewed as having been given under duress.
"I'm asking Mr Blair to not put these 15 personnel on trial because they admitted they came to Iranian territorial water," he said, referring to taped 'confessions'.
Iran maintains the British sailors had encroached on Iranian territory when they were seized by naval units of the Revolutionary Guards on March 23. Britain insists its sailors and marines were in Iraqi waters and has demanded their unconditional release.
After the conference, Iranian TV aired footage of Ahmadinejad greeting the 15 captives.
"Your people have been very kind to us and I thank you very much," said one of the sailors.
Another said they were grateful for being forgiven for the trespass.
"There was absolutely no concession from the Iranian government that the British sailors were in Iraqi waters," said CTV's London Bureau Chief Tom Kennedy.
Kennedy said British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has been accused of being too soft in negotiations, has now been largely exonerated.
"I can tell you that... in the British government today there is going to be absolute delight if they are released as quickly as we expect they will be," said Kennedy.
Shortly after Ahmadinejad's announcement, Blair's office said they welcomed the news.
"It looks as though the British government was just as caught by surprise as everybody else," said Kennedy. "Now that this thing has been defused before it exacerbates... I think everybody comes out of it reasonably well."
Ken Taylor, former Canadian ambassador to Tehran, told CTV Newsnet that the resolution will have positive ramifications.
"I think what they gained now that they have brought it to a sensible end is that they can be negotiated with," said Taylor.
"There are broad implications which I think can be promising for the future
I am concerned as to whether or not the released hostages will be coerced into lying about being in Iranian waters.
If Americans want less bias international news they could try the Canadian channels or go to the associated web site www.ctv.ca
Ahmadinejad told reporters at a press conference that the navy crew, detained by Iranian coast guards, has been pardoned and will be freed soon as a "gift to the British people."
"They are free after this meeting and can go back to their families," said Ahmadinejad.
He said Iran will never accept trespassing into its territorial waters and then chastised Britain for not being "brave enough" to admit that their crew had entered Iranian 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," said Ahmadinejad.
He then interrupted his speech and pinned medals on the chests of three officers involved in the capture of the crew.
During their time in captivity, Iran released multiple videos of 'confessions' from different crew members -- widely viewed as having been given under duress.
"I'm asking Mr Blair to not put these 15 personnel on trial because they admitted they came to Iranian territorial water," he said, referring to taped 'confessions'.
Iran maintains the British sailors had encroached on Iranian territory when they were seized by naval units of the Revolutionary Guards on March 23. Britain insists its sailors and marines were in Iraqi waters and has demanded their unconditional release.
After the conference, Iranian TV aired footage of Ahmadinejad greeting the 15 captives.
"Your people have been very kind to us and I thank you very much," said one of the sailors.
Another said they were grateful for being forgiven for the trespass.
"There was absolutely no concession from the Iranian government that the British sailors were in Iraqi waters," said CTV's London Bureau Chief Tom Kennedy.
Kennedy said British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has been accused of being too soft in negotiations, has now been largely exonerated.
"I can tell you that... in the British government today there is going to be absolute delight if they are released as quickly as we expect they will be," said Kennedy.
Shortly after Ahmadinejad's announcement, Blair's office said they welcomed the news.
"It looks as though the British government was just as caught by surprise as everybody else," said Kennedy. "Now that this thing has been defused before it exacerbates... I think everybody comes out of it reasonably well."
Ken Taylor, former Canadian ambassador to Tehran, told CTV Newsnet that the resolution will have positive ramifications.
"I think what they gained now that they have brought it to a sensible end is that they can be negotiated with," said Taylor.
"There are broad implications which I think can be promising for the future
I am concerned as to whether or not the released hostages will be coerced into lying about being in Iranian waters.
If Americans want less bias international news they could try the Canadian channels or go to the associated web site www.ctv.ca
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