Iran president says British sailors and marines to be freed
TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has met with some of the 15 British military personnel held in Iranian custody for almost two weeks, shortly after pardoning the group and vowing to set them free.
Iranian state television showed footage of Ahmadinejad shaking hands, smiling and chatting with the detainees who were dressed in suits. One of them was heard to comment in English: "We are grateful for your forgiveness."
Ahmadinejad joked with one of them: "What kind of compulsory trip were you on?" He added: "I wish you success." (Watch Ahmadinejad meet British detainess, wish them luck)
An Iranian diplomat in London told The Associated Press that the 15 would be handed over to the British Embassy in Tehran. It is unclear when that handover will take place.
One source told the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA that the Britons will leave Tehran at 8 a.m. Thursday (0430 GMT).
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the announcement comes "as a profound relief not just to them but to their families that have endured such distress and anxiety over these past 12 days."
"Throughout we have taken a measured approach: firm but calm, not negotiating but not confronting either," Blair said in a brief statement to reporters. (Watch Tony Blair react to news that UK personnel will be freed)
"To the Iranian people I would simply say this: We bear you no ill will. On the contrary, we respect Iran as an ancient civilization and as a nation with a proud and dignified history.
"And the disagreements that we have with your government we wish to resolve peacefully through dialogue. I hope, as I have always hoped, that in the future we are able to do so."
In Washington, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said: "President Bush also welcomes the news."
Ahmadinejad announcement came at the end of a lengthy news conference on Wednesday in which he said the detainees had violated Iran's territorial waters and called their release "a gift to the British people."
"I declare that the people of Iran and the government of Iran -- in full power to place on trial the military people -- to give amnesty and pardon to these 15 people and I announce their freedom and their return to the people of Britain," Ahmadinejad said.
The action was a goodwill gesture for the Iranian new year, he said, adding that Iran had received a letter from Britain promising not to intrude into Iranian waters.
"The British government sent a letter to our Foreign Ministry and said it would not happen again. Of course, our decision had nothing to do with the letter. It's a decision made by our government to give a gift to the people of Britain," Ahmadinejad said in answer to a reporter's question. (Watch Ahmadinejad warn Blair not to question released personnel)
"They will go through some brief formalities and then they will go to the embassy," he said. "They can go on a British Airways flight to Heathrow, they can go through the UAE, it is up to the British Embassy in Tehran in coordination with the Foreign Office here."
Ahmadinejad had earlier praised the border guards who captured the 15 on March 23, presenting their commander with a medal for bravery.
"I thank the border guards who bravely protect our borders and also arrested the violators, and I grant them the bravery medal to their commander," Ahmadinejad said.
Ahmadinejad's annoucement followed a cooling in the diplomatic row that had raged between London and Tehran since the Britons' detention on March 23. (Watch how tempers have cooled in diplomatic dispute)
Iran had insisted that Britain must admit its military personnel intruded into Iranian territorial waters and "guarantee this violation would not be committed again."
Britain claimed the sailors and marines were well inside Iraqi waters when Iran seized them.
Iran had released several videos showing the 14 men and one woman in which they appeared to be in good health. Iran also released videotaped confessions from four of the sailors -- including the woman, Faye Turney. (Watch the two crew members describe their 'intrusion')
Britain said the confessions were coerced and expressed its outrage at the videos' release.
Other developments
A U.S. military official said Washington officials were considering a request made by Iran to allow Iranian representatives access to the five detained Iranians captured early January by U.S. forces during a military raid in northern Iraq. "The request has been made but nothing has been approved," the official told CNN on Wednesday. (Iraq pressing U.S. to release Iranians)
Iranian officials in Kish Island said a U.S. inquiry into an American citizen who has been missing for several weeks in southern Iran was made for "political purposes," according to IRNA, Iran's state-run news agency.
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