dan9999
12-02-2009, 01:22 PM
Families 'elated' as Iran frees British yachtsmen
December 2, 2009 6:17 a.m. EST
Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- Relatives of five British sailors detained after their racing yacht strayed into Iranian waters expressed their relief Wednesday after it was announced the crew was being freed and returned to international waters.
The British Foreign Office confirmed the release of the five, who were detained by the Iranian navy on November 25 after going off course while traveling from Bahrain to Dubai. Iranian media also reported their release.
"A few tears, just totally elated," Charles Porter, father of Luke Porter, one of the five, told a reporter, adding that he was "relieved that it appears to be over and he's on his way home. His mother will give him a telling off."
British Foreign Minister David Miliband, who Tuesday pressed his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki for a speedy resolution to an incident that had threatened to become a diplomatic storm, also hailed the crew's release.
"We welcome the fact that this has been dealt with in a professional way by the Iranian authorities," Miliband said "As far as we know, the young men have been treated well. Their families can be reassured, they are safe and well."
Iranian authorities said the men were released after it was determined their vessel -- the Kingdom of Bahrain -- had accidentally wandered into the country's waters, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported.
Video: A family rejoices
A British Foreign Office spokesman said the sailors were being taken to international waters and met by representatives from their sailing company Sail Bahrain.
Andrew Pindar, Sail Bahrain chairman, said Tuesday evening that the men had had problems with the boat's propeller -- the father of one sailor said it had fallen off -- and that that might have caused them to drift into Iranian waters.
The crew included four British-based men aged in their 20s and 30s and a Bahrain-based radio presenter, thought to be in his 60s.
In a statement issued after news of the release, Pindar said: "We are all absolutely thrilled with the news. It has been an extremely worrying time for all of us and particularly for the families and loved ones of those on board."
Britain and Iran were locked in another diplomatic spat over maritime breaches in 2007 when 15 Royal Navy personnel were detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. In 2004, eight British servicement were held by Iran after being seized during a training patrol of the waterway that forms Iraq southern frontier with Iran.
December 2, 2009 6:17 a.m. EST
Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- Relatives of five British sailors detained after their racing yacht strayed into Iranian waters expressed their relief Wednesday after it was announced the crew was being freed and returned to international waters.
The British Foreign Office confirmed the release of the five, who were detained by the Iranian navy on November 25 after going off course while traveling from Bahrain to Dubai. Iranian media also reported their release.
"A few tears, just totally elated," Charles Porter, father of Luke Porter, one of the five, told a reporter, adding that he was "relieved that it appears to be over and he's on his way home. His mother will give him a telling off."
British Foreign Minister David Miliband, who Tuesday pressed his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki for a speedy resolution to an incident that had threatened to become a diplomatic storm, also hailed the crew's release.
"We welcome the fact that this has been dealt with in a professional way by the Iranian authorities," Miliband said "As far as we know, the young men have been treated well. Their families can be reassured, they are safe and well."
Iranian authorities said the men were released after it was determined their vessel -- the Kingdom of Bahrain -- had accidentally wandered into the country's waters, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported.
Video: A family rejoices
A British Foreign Office spokesman said the sailors were being taken to international waters and met by representatives from their sailing company Sail Bahrain.
Andrew Pindar, Sail Bahrain chairman, said Tuesday evening that the men had had problems with the boat's propeller -- the father of one sailor said it had fallen off -- and that that might have caused them to drift into Iranian waters.
The crew included four British-based men aged in their 20s and 30s and a Bahrain-based radio presenter, thought to be in his 60s.
In a statement issued after news of the release, Pindar said: "We are all absolutely thrilled with the news. It has been an extremely worrying time for all of us and particularly for the families and loved ones of those on board."
Britain and Iran were locked in another diplomatic spat over maritime breaches in 2007 when 15 Royal Navy personnel were detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. In 2004, eight British servicement were held by Iran after being seized during a training patrol of the waterway that forms Iraq southern frontier with Iran.