Statement by Minister MacKay Calling on Iran to Release British Military Personnel

News Release

March 28, 2007
No. 47
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, today issued the following statement calling upon the
Government of Iran to immediately release the 15 British military personnel that Iranian
military forces seized in Iraqi territorial waters on the morning of March 23:
“We are deeply concerned that Iran has detained 15 British military personnel for more
than five days now, despite clear evidence that their vessels were operating in Iraqi
territorial waters.
“This is an unacceptable incident. Iran has no authority to conduct military operations
within Iraqi territorial waters. It should also be noted that British forces are operating in
Iraq under UN authority and at the invitation of the Government of Iraq.
“Canada calls upon Iran to immediately release the British military personnel and take
the necessary action to prevent such incidents from happening again.”
The British personnel were engaged in legitimate and routine boarding operations of
merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters in support of the Government of Iraq.
Canadian naval ships have conducted the same type of operations in this area under
the same mandate.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca

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Statement by Minister MacKay Calling on Iran to Release British Military Personnel

News Release

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