15 Brits Heading Home From Iran

British Sailors, Marines Released By Iran As Easter "Gift" Are On Flight To London

(CBS/AP)  Fifteen British sailors and marines who were held captive in Iran are on their way home. The jet carrying the sailors and marines left Tehran for London at about 8:30 a.m. local time (1 a.m. EDT).

The fourteen men and one woman, who were captured March 23rd when Iran claimed the British were in Iranian waters, boarded the plane at a Tehran airport early Thursday after other passengers had taken their seats.

The fifteen British citizens arrived at the Tehran airport about a half hour earlier, in a convoy of sedans that drove directly to the presidential VIP section of the airport.

The convoy was escorted by several cars belonging to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. British ambassador to Iran, Geoffrey Adams, who was at the airport, declined to comment.

Before boarding, the sailors received gifts given to them on Ahmadinejad's behalf, Iran's state-run news agency, IRNA, reported.

The 15 British sailors and marines received handicrafts, books, pistachio nuts, a Persian sweet called "gaz" and a vase as gifts, the Islamic Republic News Agency said.

According to IRNA, the British sailors and marines spoke a few words and phrases of Farsi that they had learned during their 13 days in captivity, thanking the Iranian leadership for releasing them.

The release of the British sailors and Marines came after a Wednesday surprise announcement by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who called his decision an Easter gift to the British people.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who said Wednesday that the Britons had been released, added that he bears "no ill will" toward the Iranian people following the 13-day standoff.

The breakthrough eased tensions that have been increasing steadily, raising fears of military conflict in the volatile region and prompting a spike in oil prices. It suggested that Iran's hard-line leadership had decided Tehran had demonstrated its strength in the standoff but did not want to push the crisis too far.

However, Iran did not get the main thing it sought a public apology for entering Iranian waters. Britain, which said its crew was in Iraqi waters when seized, insists it never offered a quid pro quo, either, instead relying on quiet diplomacy.

Three of the 15 British sailors thanked Ahmadinejad for freeing them in brief interviews broadcast late Wednesday on Iran's state IRIB 2 television channel.

Lt. Felix Carman was the first to speak of the three, shown seated on a couch. "I can understand why you're insulted by the intrusion into the waters," Carman said. "I'd like to see that no harm is done to the Iranian people and its territories whatsoever and I hope that this experience will help to build the relationship between our countries."

Leading Seaman Faye Turney said they were treated well but that "it would be nice to get back, get home and see my family," and added that she wanted to "apologize for our actions, but many thanks for having it in your hearts to let us go free."

Iran's official news agency said the British crew was to leave Iran by plane on Thursday at 8 a.m. However, by Wednesday evening they had still not been handed over to the British Embassy in Tehran and the embassy said it was not clear where they would spend the night. A spokesman for Blair would only say "the process is under way."

Iranian state television showed the 14 men and one woman meeting with Ahmadinejad outside the presidential palace following his announcement at a news conference that they were being freed. The crew members were seized while on patrol in the northern Persian Gulf on March 23, would leave Iran on Thursday.

At the news conference, Ahmadinejad pinned a medal on the chest of the Iranian coast guard commander who intercepted the sailors and marines, then made the dramatic announcement.

"On the occasion of the birthday of the great prophet (Muhammad) ... and for the occasion of the passing of Christ, I say the Islamic Republic government and the Iranian people — with all powers and legal right to put the soldiers on trial — forgave those 15," he said, referring to the Muslim prophet's birthday on March 30 and the Easter holiday.

"This pardon is a gift to the British people," he said.

The release "was Iran's way of taking control of the crisis and an effort to make the point that they were taking the high ground," says CBS News foreign affairs analyst Pamela Falk. But first, Ahmadinejad delivered "a speech that was a recitation of Iran's case against the West, including U.S. and British support for Saddam Hussein against Iran, his criticism of the U.N. Security Council and Iran's right to have peaceful nuclear programs."

The standoff between London and Tehran began when the crew was seized as it searched for smugglers off the Iraqi coast.

U.S. Navy officers privately call the performance of the British Navy a disgrace, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

Simon Henderson of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy criticized the British Navy's actions during the capture and also the conduct of the sailors in captivity.

"They didn't appear to have any particular military discipline while under arrest," Henderson said.

Britain denied Iranian claims the crew had entered Iranian waters.

"I'm glad that our 15 service personnel have been released, and I know their release will come as a relief not just to them but to their families," Blair said outside his No. 10 Downing St. office. "Throughout, we have taken a measured approach, firm but calm, not negotiating but not confronting, either."

Blair added, "To the Iranian people, I would simply say this: We bear you no ill will."

The White House said President Bush welcomed the Iranian statement on the planned hostage release, and that the U.S. is closely monitoring the unfolding developments in Tehran, reports CBS News correspondent Peter Maer.

However, Martin doesn't think the release will have much impact on U.S.-Iranian relations.

"The U.S. still is insisting that Iran has to give up its nuclear enrichment program, and the U.S. is still complaining that Iran is meddling in Iraq, and specifically, meddling in a way that results in the deaths of U.S. soldiers," Martin says.

Vice President Dick Cheney told ABC News the case was "one of those events that should not have happened."

"I think the Iranians were wrong to capture the sailors, and it's good now that they have been released," Cheney said. He said he did not know of any quid pro quo deals in the Britons' case, adding that it was important not to reward "that kind of behavior."

[clestes-2009]

drinuk, I cannot believe how well this has turned out. Can you believe Bush?? He is keeping his mouth shut, which I would have thought impossible, (too bad Cheney cannot keep his shut) but I guess he can't think of anything to say. President Ahmadinejad has really made Blair and Bush look like the fools they are.

[drinuk]

Furthermore America, when he leaves office as Prime Minister in MAY he is going to do an extensive lecture tour of the States at the princely sum of $100,000 a lecture. Just make sure the cheques bounce and please keep him there, give him a shovel so that he and his buddy Bush can go clean up from Katrina. Batman and Robin, the deadly duo.

[drinuk]

Blair has been made to look the prat he really is over this episode. In his futile attempts to be the "Big Boy" of International Diplomacy he has finished up being s c r e w e d by a Muslin midget who has deflected attention successfully away from his nations rush into becoming a Nuclear Power and further disable peace in the Middle East. Whilst the Iranians provoked this ridiculous and illegal act for propoganda purposes, Blairs ill-equiped forces operating under pathetic rules of engagement were like lambs to the slaughter. He is a lucky man in that
they have been allowed home safely. He as gotten away very lightly as he did over the death of Dr David Kelly.

[tuckerndfw]

Well, I can assure you there is no one being tortured in Arlington,Texas except those being forced to watch the community access chanel.

Posted by themooniac at 06:21 AM : Apr 05, 2007

*ROFL*

I'll take your word for it.

But the last time I was in Arlington, driving through the intersection of Cooper & I-20 seemed like torture.

[themooniac]

Well, I can assure you there is no one being tortured in Arlington,Texas except those being forced to watch the community access chanel.

[tuckerndfw]

well, I find it hard to believe that in the years from 70-73 that there would be any reason to 'torture" prisoners.

Posted by themooniac at 04:03 AM : Apr 05, 2007

You may find it hard to believe that people are being tortured in Arlington, TX (and everywhere else) at this very moment, but that does not alter the fact that people are being tortured.

It appears you have a very limited perception of torture, but torture includes all manner of acts, including mental or physical.

Most murders and rapes would by necessity include torture even if it is not classified as torture.

US forces have no legal authority ("reason") to establish torture chambers and torture anyone regardless what year it may be.

Search on "Baader-Meinhof Gang" or "Red Army Faction" and get back to me on your opinion about "reason to torture."

I served in Europe (and Fort Hood for a couple of months), not Vietnam.

[themooniac]

well, I find it hard to believe that in the years from 70-73 that there would be any reason to 'torture" prisoners. And since Nam ended in Jan 73 I have no idea what you may be referring to... unless it's in reference to routine American GI's that end up at Leavenorth for all the right reasons. And you know what? They may have needed a few knoks on the noggin....

[tuckerndfw]

I am retired.

I do not collect a "paycheck."

The office was my office and I financed (for the most part) my own efforts.

[tuckerndfw]

Having served in the American military I have never known of anyone that would torture people for kicks, . . .

Posted by themooniac at 03:29 AM : Apr 05, 2007

Oddly enough, I also served in the US military.

I was a US Army MP from 1970 to 1973.

But, unlike you, I did know US soldiers who tortured people for "kicks." As a matter of fact, I routinely dealt with those types of soldiers.

The most dramatic episode being part of an escort that escorted four convicted soldiers to the US military prison at Leavenworth, KS.

The soldier I was assigned to escort was convicted of murder and rape.

Obviously, you did not encounter the same types of soldiers I encountered.

But, having said that, it is a fact that US forces have tortured people in Iraq and elsewhere, regardless how offensive that may be to you.

It offends me that so called MP's would be involved given the fact we were specifically taught that suspects and detainees were not to be tortured, humiliated (well....) or otherwise treated with anything but military courtesy, as the situation allowed. (hard to be courteous to drunks trying to rip your head off)

Perhaps you should explore your own hypersensitivity rather than attacking people who state the truth.

[themooniac]

I find it ironic you may have served in the same office as Republican Harris. But, not only the lord, but the devil works in mysterious ways. So now, in a true Maoist fashion, you don't want to confess who signs your paycheck these days?.........