Iran to help 15 released Britons publish their memoirs

Tehran, April 22, IRNA
Iran-British Marines
Senior presidential advisor, Ali-Akbar Javanfekr said here Sunday that the 15 British marines who illegally entered Iran's territorial waters and were pardoned can count on Iran's cooperation to publish their memoirs about their detention period.

He told IRNA that Iran is prepared to support the young British marines in writing and publishing their memoirs and provide them with photos as well as cassette tapes and video cassettes on their cheerful life and free remarks during the time in Iran if it is assured that they are not being prosecuted by their government and armed forces.

The statement was made in response to the question about the ban on the publication of the memoirs of the 15 released British marines.

The British Defense Secretary Des Browne, speaking at the House of Lords last week, dismissed the decision to sell the memoirs of British marines as incorrect.

He repented his permission for sale of the story about the British marines, adding that it was a mistake.

British intelligence and security officials warned Browne that publication of the British marines memoirs can bring great shame to the British government.

"The ethical approach of Iranians towards the British marines will make officials from Britain feel humiliated," said the senior presidential advisor.

Fifteen British marines who violated Iranian territorial waters on March 23 were taken into custody by Iranian border guards.

"The British marines, who voluntarily admitted several times that they had trespassed Iran's territorial waters and apologized to the Iranian nation for it, were eventually pardoned and released," said Javanfekr.

Browne's recent use of the fake term of `Arabic gulf' instead of the `Persian Gulf' is considered as the second consecutive mistake of this British official.

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