Full text of statement by Britain’s Beckett on Iran incident

Iran Focus: London, Mar. 23 – Britain’s Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett issued a statement on the detention of 15 Royal Navy and Marine personnel by Iran’s security forces on the Iran-Iraq waterway. The following is the full text of her statement:
Iran Focus

London, Mar. 23 – Britain’s Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett issued a statement on the detention of 15 Royal Navy and Marine personnel by Iran’s security forces on the Iran-Iraq waterway. The following is the full text of her statement:

BECKETT: STATEMENT ON IRANIAN DETENTION OF NAVY PERSONNEL (23/03/07)

‘I was extremely disturbed to hear of the detention of 15 Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel and their equipment by Iranian vessels today. Our personnel were in two boats, which were operating in Iraqi territorial waters in accordance with UNSCR 1723 and acting in support of the government of Iraq to stop smuggling. The Iranian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office this afternoon.

‘We have also raised this incident through our embassy with the authorities in Tehran. We have sought a full explanation of what happened. We have left the Iranian authorities in no doubt that we expect the immediate and safe return of our service personnel and boats. I understand the Iranian Ambassadors meeting with our Permanent Secretary was brisk but polite.’