Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

Sat 03 Mar 2007UN: statement watered downUN:The UN Security Council expressed "grave concern" at Iran's detention of British sailors and called for their release and an early resolution of the controversy. In a press statement, negotiated for more than four hours and watered down from the original British draft, the council also appealed to Iran to allow consular access to the naval crew.Britain however failed to win support from Russia, at times backed by South Africa and Indonesia, for a stronger statement that would have deplored Iran's detention of the crew and called for their immediate release. Iran immediately responded, saying Britain's initiative to involve the council was "not helpful" and that the case should be settled through bilateral channels. - (Reuters)