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Iran: Second "Apology" Aired
Another hostage video released; Iran hints of trial
Iran has defied international condemnation by broadcasting another 'confession' from a British hostage.
This time, a crewman Iran names as Nathan Thomas Summers appears on the television broadcast.
He says that Iran has treated its captives "really well" and that he apologises for entering Iranian waters.
"That happened back in 2004, and the government promised that it wouldn't happen again," he said - a reference to the previous capture of British servicemen on the Iran-Iraq border.
It follows the release of a video of sailor Faye Turney making similar claims. Letters from LS Turney have also been produced by Iran's authorities. Another video showed the crew eating in an unidentified building in Iran.
Tony Blair says that the video will only "enhance peoples disgust" with Iran; Foreign secretary Margaret Beckett described it as "appalling."
The video comes hours after a UN Security Council statement expressing "grave concern" for the sailor's wellbeing. Britain had hoped for a stronger condemnation from the UNSC, but Russian and Indonesia led opposition to the British proposal. Not that Iran pays much attention to the Security Council anyway. UNSC permanent members Britain, France, China, the USA and Russia are joined this year by Republic of Congo, Belgium, Ghana, Indonesia, South Africa, Italy, Panama, Peru, Qatar and Slovakia.
Yesterday afternoon, gangs of bearded fanatics took to the streets of Teheran calling for the execution of the British servicemen. The Telegraph reports that Ali Larijani, chief nuclear negotiator and head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told state radio that "Britain had miscalculated the issue."
"This case may face a legal path," he added, giving rise to fears that Iran may put their hostages on trial.
