Bush: No quid pro quo with Iran

2007-04-03 17:57

Washington - President George W Bush on Tuesday said there should be no "quid pro quos" with Iran in Britain's standoff with Iran over 15 captive sailors.

Asked if five Iranians held in Iraq should be released to favour a possible release of the Britons, Bush said: "I also strongly support the prime minister's (Tony Blair's) declaration that there should be no quid pro quos when it comes to the hostages."

Blair said earlier on Tuesday the standoff with Iran over the captive sailors was in a "critical" phase, after a top Tehran official said new contacts could help end the crisis.

But Blair also warned that he may be forced to take "tougher decisions" if the naval personnel are not freed, while Iran's vice-president reiterated that London must admit they were in Iranian territorial waters when seized.

"The next 48 hours will be fairly critical," Blair told Glasgow-based Real Radio, while cautiously welcoming comments by top Iranian national security official Ali Larijani, who on Monday underlined the need for a diplomatic solution.

"I've read the transcripts of the interview (Larijani) gave and that seems to offer some prospect but the most important thing is to get these people back," he said, referring to the Iranian's comments in a television interview.

'London has changed its attitude'

In Tehran, senior officials appeared to be taking a more conciliatory tone over the 14 men and one woman who were seized in the northern Gulf on March 23 and accused of trespassing in Iranian waters.

"London has changed its attitude for several days now and is acting on the basis of negotiations," said vice-president Parviz Davoudi in the southern city of Bushehr where he was opening a new installation at Iran's first nuclear power station.

But he warned: "London must give guarantees and say that there was a violation and there will be no other errors in the future. I think that the problem is heading in this direction and God willing will be resolved soon."

- AFP