Iran Media Coverage of Detained UK Naval Personnel 0430 Gmt 1 Apr 07

Iranian media and news agencies were monitored from 1400 gmt on 31 March to 0430 gmt on 1 April for coverage of the detained British navy personnel in Persian Gulf. Developments relating the issue received reasonable amount of coverage on Iranian media but it was by no means the top story in news bulletins. Radio and TV continued to give substantial coverage to holiday-related weather and traffic reports. There were also reports about the anniversary (on 1 April) of the referendum in 1979 which led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic. On 1 April, reports on Ahmadinezhad’s visit to former Iran-Iraq war zones in south-west Iran was on top of news bulletins.

TV

Bulletins on the news channel (IRINN) included references to the Foreign Ministry statement issued in reaction to the EU call for the detained Britons to be released.

Al-Alam TV (1500 gmt) reported that Margaret Beckett, speaking in Bremen, had said that the UK had sent “a written answer to Iran” in which “She expressed her hope for a peaceful and speedy solution of the issue,” Al-Alam added.

The main evening news bulletin (1730 gmt) on Iranian TV Channel 1 (IRTV1) included a video clip of the Foreign Ministry spokesman saying that the detained Britons had violated international laws and that the EU had issued a “biased” statement effectively supporting “the violation of international law”. The bulletin also included a video clip of Craig Murray, described as the former head of the Foreign Office’s naval section, telling an Iranian reporter that Britain was engaging in “psychological warfare” against Iran over the detained Britons. Craig added that the problem should be solved through talks.

The 1900 gmt news bulletin on Iranian TV Channel 2 (IRTV2) included a brief announcer-read report on President Ahmadinezhad saying on a visit to the town of Andimeshk in southwest Iran that the British should have apologized for the “violation of Iran’s territorial waters” but that “they had behaved arrogantly instead”.

Radio

The main evening radio news bulletin (1630 gmt) included audio clips of the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hoseyni in which he rejected the EU “biased” statement. He said the statement effectively supported “the violation of international law”. (Processed as: Iran spokesman says EU stance complicates sailor issue)

In the 2030 gmt bulletin, there was a report on President Ahmadinezhad’s speech in Andimeshk saying Britain should have apologized; audio clips of the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman saying Iran was acting within the law; and also a brief report saying: “The British foreign secretary has retreated from London’s stance over the past few days and said: We want to hold talks with Tehran to solve the problem of the military personnel detained in Iran.” (Processed as: British foreign secretary said to have “retreated” on crisis with Iran)

The top item on 0430 gmt bulletin was President Ahmadinezhad’s speech to visitors of former Iran-Iraq war zones in which he had also talked about the arrest of the British naval personnel. The report quoted Ahmadinezhad as saying that “the arrogant powers, instead of apologizing to our nation, behave as if we [Iranians] owe them something”. Domestic news about weather and national ID cards followed the top story. Ten minutes into the bulletin, there was a report on Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hoseyni reacting to a UK’s written response to Iran, and saying: We are waiting for the correction of the British government’s conduct and the adoption of rational attitudes by it. The Foreign Ministry spokesman was also quoted as saying that UK’s response to Iran’s note of protest has different points, which can be examined.

News agencies

IRNA (1737 gmt) had a report about President Ahmadinezhad making a speech in the south-western town of Andimeshk. He said among other things: “British occupying forces entered our waters, and our guardsmen, with bravery, vigilance and the height of integrity, arrested them. But the arrogant people, because of their spirit of arrogance and selfishness, instead of apologizing, behave as if the Iranian nation owes them something.” (Processed as: Iranian president says Britain should have apologized)

IRNA (1758 gmt) carried a report about the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hoseyni defending the broadcasting of video footage of the detained Britons on Iranian TV. He said that “the broadcasting of the film of the detainees was carried out in the framework of humanitarian considerations and aimed at conveying the news that they are in good health and to dispel their families’ anxiety”. The spokesman also “expressed surprise about insulting and provocative remarks, such as Mrs Beckett’s remarks” (Margaret Beckett was said to have condemned the broadcasts in remarks made in Bremen at a meeting of EU foreign ministers). (Processed as: Iranian spokesman condemns Beckett’s “insulting” remarks)

IRNA (1929 gmt) carried a report about the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hoseyni reacting to a written British response to an Iranian protest note on the incident. The spokesman said that, in response to the Iranian note, the British ambassador had been to the Foreign Ministry on 30 March to present an answer. He said that the British note contained “different points, which can be examined. He also said: We are waiting for the correction of the British government’s conduct and the adoption of rational attitudes by it; we want it to opt for uniform, balanced and transparent conduct in the framework of the legitimate and rational demands of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” (Processed as: Iran reacts to British note on detained naval personnel)

(c) 2007 BBC Monitoring Middle East. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.