Bush calls for Iran to free U.K. sailors

AP: President Bush on Saturday called for the release of 15 British sailors and marines being held by Iran, calling their capture by Tehran “inexcusable behavior.” Associated Press

By DEB RIECHMANN

Associated Press Writer

CAMP DAVID, Md. (AP) – President Bush on Saturday called for the release of 15 British sailors and marines being held by Iran, calling their capture by Tehran “inexcusable behavior.”

“Iran must give back the hostages,” Bush said. “They’re innocent, they did nothing wrong, and they were summarily plucked out of waters.”

The comments at a news conference with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were the first from Bush on the capture, as Washington has taken a low-key approach so far out of concern that more robust intervention might aggravate the situation and shake international resolve on Iran’s nuclear program.

Bush did not answer a question about whether the U.S. would react militarily if those captured had been American. With the crisis in its second week, the president said he supports British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s efforts to find a diplomatic resolution.