Iran's Khatami Demands British Apology in Arrest of ex-Diplomat
VOA News
24 Aug 2003, 13:06 UTC
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is demanding Britain apologize for the arrest of a former Iranian diplomat for alleged terrorist activity.
Iranian state media quote Mr. Khatami as saying Iran will have a "strong reaction" to the arrest of Hadi Soleimanpour, the former Iranian ambassador to Argentina.
On Thursday, British police, acting on an international warrant, arrested Mr. Soleimanpour in Durham, northern England.
In his remarks Sunday, Mr. Khatami said he hopes Britain will quickly correct the situation.
The Iranian president called the arrest "politically motivated," and said there are forces trying to pressure Iran's Islamic Republic through unfounded allegations.
However, the British charge d'affaires in Iran, Matthew Gould, said he told Iranian officials Saturday the police decision to arrest Mr. Soleimanpour was independent of the British government.
The arrest warrant, which was issued by Argentina, charges Mr. Soleimanpour with involvement in the July 1994 bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish community center. The attack killed 85 people. Mr. Soleimanpour was ambassador to Argentina at the time.
Iran has denied any involvement in the community center bombing. Tehran has cut economic and cultural ties with Buenos Aires over the issue.
http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=28247A66-AE49-461B-8E19BC9DA6486FF8Iran escalates envoy arrest row
Last Updated: Sunday, 24 August, 2003, 11:08 GMT 12:08 UK
Iran has demanded an apology from the UK Government over the arrest of its former ambassador to Buenos Aires on terrorism charges.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3177355.stm