Bush calls British sailors 'hostages' in Iran

CAMP DAVID, Maryland (CNN) -- President Bush on Saturday called Iran's detention of 15 British sailors and marines "inexcusable behavior" and called for their release, referring to them as "hostages."
"The Iranians took these people out of Iraqi water," said Bush, speaking at Camp David with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. "And it's inexcusable behavior."
The 15 have been detained in an undisclosed location in Iran since March 23. Iran claims they "trespassed" into Iranian territorial waters. Britain denies the claim.
The U.S. government had been notably quiet on the subject from the beginning, but Bush voiced strong opinions Saturday.
"The Iranians must give back the hostages," he said. "They were innocent. They were doing nothing wrong. And they were summarily plucked out of water."
Lula da Silva did not address the British issue, but said Brazil has no political issues with Iran and considers Tehran an important trading partner.
Also Saturday, an Iranian official said his country had started a legal process to determine the guilt or innocence of the detainees.
If they are not guilty, they will be freed, said Ambassador Gholam-Reza Ansari, who is in Russia.
"But the legal process is going on and has to be completed, and if they are found guilty, they will face the punishment," he said on Russian TV. (Watch Iranian ambassador call British sailors 'invaders' )
Ansari -- speaking to the TV news channel Vesti-24 -- also hinted that there could be a diplomatic settlement, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency in Iran.
"If the UK government admits its mistake and apologizes to Iran for its naval personnel's trespassing of Iranian territorial waters, the issue can be easily settled."
Iran's president called Britain "arrogant" Saturday for not apologizing, media in Iran reported.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- in remarks carried by state radio and reported by the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency -- said, "The occupying British forces entered our waters, and our border guards, with courage and alertness, arrested them."
Instead of issuing any regret or displaying any shame, Britain postured, he said, issuing declarations and making speeches.
"These arrogants, due to their arrogant mentality and selfishness, instead of apologizing, they acted as if we owe them," he said.
Ahmadinejad also took a wider swipe at Britain and other Western nations.
"In the last 300 years, the arrogant powers have been stealing from other nations. They have enslaved the people of other nations," he said.
He said that after World War II, the Western countries "declared themselves the winners and created international organizations in order to continue their domination over the rest of the world."
"The arrogant powers unfortunately today are openly breaking the laws that those international organizations they themselves founded and created," Ahmadinejad said, according to IRNA.
British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said Saturday that Britain has written to Iran to seek a peaceful resolution to the standoff.
"We have made our response, and now we are beginning to discuss. As you may know, it's a holiday period in Iran, and that is perhaps not too helpful," said Beckett, speaking to reporters at the European Union foreign ministers' meeting in Germany.
The contents of the diplomatic notes passed between the two countries have not been disclosed.
"The message I want to send is that everyone regrets that this position has arisen. What we want is a way out of it, we want it peacefully, and we want it as soon as possible. We would like to be told where our personnel are; we would like to be given access to them," Beckett said.
The 15 British sailors and marines have been detained in an undisclosed location in Iran since March 23. (Watch brother and friends tell of fears for sailor )
EU officials meeting in Germany -- already dealing with the conflict over Iran's nuclear aspirations -- said they wanted to resolve the crisis.
"Of course, we're standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the United Kingdom," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters.
Steinmeier said ministers had given EU security and foreign affairs chief Javier Solana a brief to use his office to help secure the release of the sailors.
Third letter released
On Friday, Iran released a third letter purportedly written by detained British sailor Faye Turney, in which she claimed to have been "sacrificed" by British and U.S. policies and urged both countries to withdraw their troops from Iraq. (Full story)
The letter, the authenticity of which CNN cannot independently determine, followed two previous letters said to be written by Turney and released separately this week. (Watch Turney say what happened when she was captured )
Friday's letter was released just hours after Turney appeared with two other Britons in new video aired by Arabic language network Al Alam. (Text of letters)
In the video, one of the 15 detained service personnel held in Iran confessed to "entering your waters without permission."
"On the 23rd of March 2007 in Iranian waters we trespassed without permission," said Nathan Thomas Summers. The third detainee in the video has not been identified. (Watch detained British sailor make his 'confession' )
Summers said the Britons were being treated well, as did the Turney letter.

Guantanamo's Hicks to serve nine months

GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) -- A U.S. military tribunal sentenced Australian al Qaeda trainee David Hicks on Friday to seven years in prison, but he will only have to serve nine months of the sentence.
Hicks, who became the first war crimes convict among the hundreds of foreign captives held for years at the Guantanamo prison camp, had pleaded guilty to supporting terrorism in an agreement with U.S. military prosecutors.
The deal allowed all but nine months of the sentence to be be suspended. He will serve it in Australia, and the United States must send him home by May 29. (Watch as a legal expert suggests Hicks may have opted for a "pragmatic course of action")
The tribunal judge accepted Hicks' guilty plea as part of an agreement that limited his sentence to seven years in prison, in addition to the five years he has been held at the Guantanamo base in Cuba.
The former kangaroo skinner from Adelaide acknowledged that he trained with al Qaeda, fought against U.S. allies in Afghanistan in late 2001 for two hours, and then sold his gun to raise cab fare to flee by taxi to Pakistan.
Hicks, 31, denied having advance knowledge of the September 11 attacks. His attorney, Marine Maj. Michael Mori, portrayed him as a now-apologetic soldier wannabe who never shot at anyone and ran away when he got a taste of battle.
The prosecutor, Marine Lt. Col. Kevin Chenail, said Hicks freely joined a band of killers who slaughtered innocents. "We are face to face with the enemy," Chenail said.
Hicks was captured in Afghanistan in December 2001 and was among the first prisoners the United States sent to Guantanamo a month later. Washington considers them dangerous and unlawful "enemy combatants" who must be detained in the war against terrorism.
Rights groups and foreign governments have condemned the prison at the U.S. naval base on the eastern tip of Cuba for what they say is abuse of prisoners' rights.
But Washington has argued the camp is necessary to hold detainees in the war on terrorism it declared after the 9/11 attacks.
Hicks is not accused of shooting anyone.
To finalize his plea, Hicks had to convince the judge that his plea was genuine and not just a maneuver to escape Guantanamo and return home, as his father describes it.
Hicks was in the first group of prisoners brought to Guantanamo in January 2002 and has said he was abused by his captors, which the U.S. military denies.
The chief prosecutor, Air Force Col. Moe Davis, on Thursday said he was not claiming that "David Hicks is on par with Osama bin Laden."
Copyright 2007 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Detainee 'sacrificed by Britain, U.S. policies'

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran on Friday released a third letter purportedly written by detained British sailor Faye Turney, in which she claims to have been "sacrificed" by British and U.S. policies and urges both countries to withdraw their troops from Iraq.
"We were arrested after entering Iranian waters by the Iranian forces. For this I am deeply sorry," the letter states.
"I am writing to you as a British service person who has been sent to Iraq, sacrificed due to the intervening policies of the Bush and Blair governments.
"I believe that for our countries to move forward, we need to start withdrawing our forces from Iraq, and leave the people of Iraq to start rebuilding their lives."
The letter, the authenticity of which cannot be independently determine by CNN, follows two previous letters said to be written by Turney and released separately this week. (Watch Turney say what happened when she was captured )
Friday's letter was released just hours after Turney appeared with two other Britons in new video aired by Arabic language network Al Alam.
In the video, one the 15 detained service personnel held in Iran for the past week confessed to "entering your waters without permission."
"On the 23rd of March 2007 in Iranian waters we trespassed without permission," said Nathan Thomas Summers. The third detainee in the video has not been identified. (Watch detained British sailor make his 'confession' )
Summers said the Britons were being treated well, as did the Turney letter.
There has been no official reaction by the British government to the letter.
Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking to reporters after the video was aired said: "All this does is enhance people's sense of disgust. Captured personnel being paraded and manipulated in this way doesn't fool anyone.
"What the Iranians have to realize is that if they continue in this way they will face continuing isolation."
Blair called for "patience" in dealing with the crisis, adding: "The most important thing is to ensure people are returned safe."
Earlier Friday, Britain's Foreign Office responded to the video, telling CNN that "using our servicemen in this way for propaganda reasons is outrageous."
Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers on Friday demanded Iran release 15 Britons, though some warned against escalating the dispute and said their diplomatic ties with Tehran would not be immediately affected, AP reported. (Full story)
Friday's video was the second so-called confession by a British detainee to be aired by Al Alam this week.
On Wednesday, it showed a video of Turney wearing a black scarf covering her hair, "admitting" that she and her crew had gone into Iranian waters. "Obviously we trespassed into their waters," she said.
Footage in the video also showed the other 14 British detainees eating.
The video caused outrage in London and Britain's ambassador to Iran visited the foreign ministry Thursday to protest its broadcast, Britain's Foreign Office confirmed.
Blair called it "completely wrong -- a disgrace, actually -- when people are used in that way. It's contrary to all international law and convention."
British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett announced Wednesday that Britain was freezing all bilateral diplomatic business with Iran until the 15 Britons were freed.
Security Council appeals for release
On Thursday, the UN Security Council expressed concern for the marines and sailors and appealed for their early release. (Watch the war of words build )
The U.N. statement fell short of a full condemnation sought by the British government.
On Friday, Turkey's government said it had spoken with Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, who suggested Tehran was willing to reconsider an offer to release Turney, The Associated Press reported.
In footage aired Thursday, said to be of the capture operation, gunshots could be heard on the tape and a helicopter was shown above inflatable boats in choppy seas.
Iranian guard boats were seen cruising around while a couple of Iranian guardsmen shot into the air.
Then the video showed some of the British troops -- including Turney -- seated in a boat with an Iranian flag, presumably after their capture.
An Iranian military official also appeared on state television giving a briefing about the incident, indicating on a map where he said it happened. (Watch the war of words build )
The demonstration looked similar to a Wednesday briefing on the incident by British Vice Admiral Charles Style, who released a map of the Shatt al-Arab purporting to show the coordinates of the British boat when it was captured, along with pictures of handheld GPS devices showing the location. (Watch Iran's use of maps to show British 'trespassing' )
Release delayed
Earlier Thursday, Iran said the British personnel entered its waters six times before they were arrested.
Officials also announced that the promised release of Turney was suspended because of Britain's "behavior" in the matter.
"The wrong behavior of those who live in London caused the suspension," Iranian military commander Alireza Afshar said, according to the Mehr news agency.
Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Council, warned that Britain's tough stance in the matter was causing a delay in the release of Turney. (Watch what Iran says is holding up the release of British personnel )
On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki had said Turney would be released "very soon."
Larijani said Tehran would like to resolve the issue through bilateral discussions and an investigation of legal and technical issues, and again asserted that the British patrol boats entered Iranian waters illegally.
In London on Thursday, the British Foreign Ministry said the Iranian government had sent a formal note to the British Embassy in Tehran.
"Such exchanges are always confidential, so we cannot divulge any details," a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said. "But we're giving the message serious consideration and will soon respond formally to the Iranian government."
Copyright 2007 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.

Iran 'may delay UK sailor release'

(CNN) -- Iran has said it could delay the release of a British woman captured last week along with 14 other military personnel if the UK takes the issue to the U.N. Security Council or freezes relations.
In video footage aired Wednesday, Faye Turney, the only woman captive, said her group had "trespassed" in Iranian waters; other images showed the group eating together.
Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani made his comments on Iranian state radio on Thursday, the day after Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Turney would be released "as soon as possible" but did not say when.
"We even said that the grounds were ready for the release of a woman among the British sailors but if we are faced with a fuss and wrong behavior then this would be suspended and it would not take place," Reuters quoted Larijani as saying.
Thursday also marked the sixth day Iran has defiantly refused Britain consular access to their service members or disclosed their location
Britain has urged the Security Council to support a call for the immediate release of its service members. It said in a statement the 15 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines were operating in Iraqi waters under a mandate from the Security Council and at the request of Iraq. The issue was expected to be debated Thursday.
On Wednesday the British government also announced it was freezing ties with Tehran over the crisis.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has denied though that Britain wants confrontation with Iran over the detention of the sailors.
"We want this resolved. We do not want a confrontation over this. We want this resolved as quickly as possible," the PM's official spokesman told reporters on Thursday.
Iran's foreign minister has said British officials can meet the detained sailors and marines, but must first acknowledge that they entered Iranian waters.
"Admitting the mistake will facilitate a solution to the problem," Manouchehr Mottaki told The Associated Press late Wednesday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he was attending an Arab summit.
The British Ministry of Defence has given what it said was proof the British ship HMS Cornwall, which was carrying the sailors and marines, never strayed into Iranian waters.
The global positioning system on the ship proves the vessel was "clearly" 1.7 nautical miles inside Iraqi waters and that the boat was "ambushed" by the Iranian forces, British Vice Adm. Charles Style said.
A map with coordinates that Iran provided on Saturday "turned out to confirm [the sailors] were in Iraqi waters," and Iraq has supported that position, Style said.
Iran later provided a second set of coordinates on Monday that placed the vessel inside Iranian waters, Style said. Those coordinates placed the ship "over two nautical miles" from the position shown by the HMS Cornwall and confirmed by the merchant vessel the British personnel had boarded when captured.
The "change of coordinates," Style said "is hard to legitimate."
On Wednesday, the Iranian Embassy in London said in a statement that British personnel had made an incursion of 0.5 kilometers (0.3 miles) into Iranian territorial waters.
Detainees appear on Iranian TV
The row over the location of the British personnel when captured on March 23 intensified Wednesday when images of them in detention appeared on Iranian television.
"Obviously we trespassed into their waters," Faye Turney said in video broadcast by Alalam, an Iranian Arabic-language network.
"They were very friendly, very hospitable, very thoughtful, nice people. They explained to us why we'd been arrested. There was no aggression, no hurt, no harm. They were very, very compassionate," Turney said. (Watch Turney identify herself and describe what happened )
It was not known when the videotape was shot, or whether Turney, 26, was able to speak freely.
Turney -- who holds the rank of leading seaman, roughly equivalent to a petty officer first class in the U.S. Navy -- appeared to be in good physical condition and wore a black scarf to cover her hair. (Read Turney's profile)
In other scenes, she was shown smoking a cigarette as she spoke with someone off camera.
Alalam also broadcast video showing some of the other British detainees eating with Turney. All appeared healthy and unharmed. It was not known when that video was taken either.
The video broadcasts met outrage by the British government. (Watch the captured British sailors and Turney's letter )
A spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office said it was "completely unacceptable for these pictures to be shown on television, given the potential distress to their [the sailors'] families."
British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said she was "very concerned about these pictures and any indication of pressure on or coercion of our personnel." They "were carrying out a routine operation in accordance with international law and under a United Nations resolution in support of the Iraqi government," she added.
Britain would cut off all bilateral diplomatic business with Tehran -- excluding discussions about the detainees -- until they were released, she announced earlier Wednesday.
Letter also released
Iran also released a letter it said was written by Turney to her parents. The letter was handed to the British ambassador to Iran in Tehran on Wednesday, the state-run news agency reported.
"We were out in the boats when we were arrested by Iranian forces as we had apparently gone into Iranian waters. I wish we hadn't because then I'd be home with you all right now. I am so sorry we did, because I know we wouldn't be here now if we hadn't," the letter said. (Read letter)
CNN cannot confirm that Turney wrote the letter or, if she did, whether she did so under duress.
The television station broadcast video of what appeared to be a handwritten letter, signed "Faye." (Watch CNN's Aneesh Raman's analysis of what's striking about this video )
"I want you all to know that I am well and safe. I am being well looked after. I am fed 3 meals a day and have a constant supply of fluids," the letter said.
Meanwhile the U.S. navy was wrapping up its largest exercise in Gulf waters since 2003. (Full story)
Copyright 2007 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.

Bush attacks Democrats on Iraq deadline

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush accused congressional Democrats Wednesday of meddling in Iraq war policy and setting a deadline for a U.S. pullout that would have disastrous repercussions for both countries.
As the Senate resumed debate Wednesday on a bill containing a spring 2008 timetable for bringing American troops home, Bush argued again that such a step would result in a needless delay of funds for troops. But Democrats are insisting that he'll have to accept some sort of timeline to get the money.
"Why doesn't he get real with what's going on with the world?" Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said after Bush's speech. "We're not holding up funding in Iraq and he knows that. Why doesn't he deal with the real issues facing the American people?" (Watch how the vote unfolded )
Bush said Wednesday that the Democratic strategy move will not force him to negotiate. He said again that he would veto any funding legislation that includes a withdrawal timeline. (Watch Bush threaten to veto legislation)
"The consequences of imposing such a specific and random date of withdrawal would be disastrous," Bush said in a speech at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association meeting. "Our enemies in Iraq would simply have to mark their calendars. They'd spend the months ahead plotting how to use their new safe haven once we were to leave. It makes no sense for politicians in Washington, D.C. to be dictating arbitrary timelines for our military commanders in a war zone 6,000 miles away."
Bush broadly defended his new war plan, which involves sending 21,500 additional U.S. combat troops to Iraq to help secure Baghdad and troubled Anbar Province. He said two months of joint operations with Iraqi troops have seen some early successes but "it's going to require a sustained, determined effort to succeed."
"If we cannot muster the resolve to defeat this evil in Iraq, America will have lost its moral purpose in the world and we will endanger our citizens," the president said. "If we leave Iraq before the job is done, the enemy will follow us here."
Bush accused lawmakers of engaging in little more than "political statements" even as money for troops will run out next month.
"If Congress fails to pass a bill to fund our troops on the front lines, the American people will know who to hold responsible," Bush said.
But Reid and other Democrats say they won't back down.
"Rather than making all the threats that he has, let's work with him and see if he can give us some ideas how we can satisfy the wishes of a majority of the Senate, the majority of the House and move forward," Reid said.
The bill finances operations in Iraq and Afghanistan but requires Bush begin bringing home some combat troops right away with a nonbinding goal of ending combat missions as of March 31, 2008.
The House last week passed a similar bill by a 218-212 vote. That bill orders combat troops out by August 31, 2008 -- guaranteeing the final spending measure negotiated with the Senate will include some sort of timetable on the war.
Sen. John McCain, a 2008 Republican presidential aspirant, called the vote "a very bad decision." (Watch McCain assess Iraq's future )
McCain, appearing on NBC's "Today" show Wednesday from Orlando, Florida, said the war "was badly mismanaged. But there are signs of progress everywhere. ... I am confident that given the opportunity, we can have success. The consequences of failure are catastrophic because if we come home, bin Laden and Zarqawi, they are going to follow us."
Senate Republicans tried Tuesday to strip out the withdrawal language but failed in a 50-48 vote. One Democrat -- Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas -- sided with Republicans in opposition to the public deadline, contending such a measure would broadcast U.S. war plans to the enemies.
"Congress should not define how long our enemy has to hang on to win," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina.
Sen. Chuck Hagel delivered the deciding vote by joining anti-war Republican Gordon Smith of Oregon in breaking ranks and voting with Democrats to put a nonbinding end date on the war. (Watch Hagel question claims of progress in Iraq )
"We have misunderstood, misread, misplanned and mismanaged our honorable intentions in Iraq with an arrogant self-delusion reminiscent of Vietnam," said Hagel, R-Nebraska.
Pryor said he supports setting a deadline for U.S. involvement in Iraq, but only so long as such a date remains classified. Pryor compares the 2008 date set by his Democratic colleagues akin to announcing to the Germans plans for the U.S. invasion of France in World War II.
But ultimately, Pryor said, he will vote in favor of the bill.
"At the end of the day, the end of the process, I'm going to support the troops," he said.
Sen. Chuck Schumer said he sees Tuesday's vote as the first step in turning up the heat on Bush's war policies.
"This is not one battle; it's a long-term campaign," Schumer, D-New York, told reporters.
The vote leaves hanging a small group of Republicans frustrated by the war and wanting to go on record as such but opposed to setting a timetable.
In recent months, GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, John Warner of Virginia, Norm Coleman of Minnesota and Olympia Snowe of Maine wanted legislation expressing opposition to Bush's war strategy and setting goals for the Iraqi government to meet in exchange for continued U.S. support.
But each said they opposed setting a firm timetable on the war and sided with their Republican colleagues.
"My vote against this rapid withdrawal does not mean that I support an open-ended commitment of U.S. troops to Iraq," Collins said in a statement issued after the vote.
If Bush's strategy in Iraq does not show "significant results" by fall, "then Congress should consider all options including a redefinition of our mission and a gradual but significant withdrawal of our troops next year."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Emergency rule proposal plunges share prices

Thai share prices closed 1.40 per cent lower on Wednesday, faring worse than the regional average, as the junta leader called for imposing emergency rule in Bangkok, brokers said.
Despite investors' fears, businessmen are rather positive with the call, saying that if this is to install political stability, it should benefit the general mood in the business sector.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index lost 9.53 points to 669.04 while the blue-chip SET 50 index dropped 7.66 points to 467.67.
A source from a foreign brokerage house said that the emergency rule would exacerbate confidence among foreign investors, who have been wary of the Bank of Thailand's unclear measures.
"Foreign investors' confidence in this government is terribly low. Thus, if the government is to enforce the emergency rule, this would worsen the situation as it would indicate the government's instability," he said.
However, Suchart Chantaranakaracha, chairman of Thai National Shippers' Council, said that the emergency rule would raise political confidence among foreign and local business operators.
"Thailand has suffered from instability and this leads to low confidence. If this is to improve the security stability, this should benefit the entire business community," he said.
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Bus of children, teachers hijacked

MANILA, Philippines (CNN) -- At least two gunmen took preschool children and their teachers hostage on a bus, as they headed on a field trip in Manila Wednesday morning, authorities said.
"Our hostages are 32 kids and 2 teachers," a sign in the bus window said. "We have 2 grenades, an Uzi and a .45-caliber pistol."
The sign also said: "We want housing and schooling for 145 kids in a daycare center." (Watch the bus and the telephone that's been placed for the hostage-takers to use )
A local politician, Sen. Ramon Revilla, entered the bus early in the afternoon to conduct direct negotiations with the men.
About an hour later, a child was taken off the bus, after complaining of not feeling well. He was placed in an ambulance and taken to the hospital, as temperatures soared into the mid-30s C (90s F).
The engine of the purple-and-gray bus continued to run, providing air conditioning, AP reported.
One of Revilla's children is the godson of one of the hostage-takers, who's been identified as Jun Ducat, said Col. Rommel Miranda of the Manila police department, in citing both Ducat and the senator.
Ducat has been "described as very kind and helpful to other people," Miranda said, adding, "He's one of those people who helped children go through pre-school" in the local area. (Watch what's known about Ducat )
Another politician, Sen. Alfredo Lim, a former Manila police chief, said Ducat, had once taken two Catholic priests hostage over a pay dispute.
Local media reports said he was the owner of the daycare center, but that could not be confirmed.
"He actually knows all of these children and all of the teachers on the bus," said Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, who talked with Ducat on the phone. "He has been a donor to the daycare center and to the school."
Ducat was disqualified as a congressional candidate in 2001, AP reported. It was not immediately clear why he was disqualified.
The hostage drama just a short distance from City Hall.
Earlier video from the scene showed a woman making the hand symbol for a phone to police nearby, as a man held a grenade next to her arm.
Police later put a wired telephone on the ground next to the bus, but no one came out to claim it.
A second sign later appeared in the bus window, saying, "We need an amplifier so you can listen to what we're asking for."

News agency: Contact with sailors possible

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Britain will be allowed to make contact with 15 sailors and marines seized by Iran as soon as a preliminary investigation has been completed, an Iranian official has been quoted as saying.
"After preliminary investigations are over contacts of the British embassy and consulate with the soldiers will be possible," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told the official IRNA news agency. He did not elaborate, according to Reuters.
Britain's ambassador to Tehran has met with Iranian officials this week in a bid to get the naval personnel released. He has also asked for access to them. Iran will not disclose their whereabouts, but has said they are well.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday his country is prepared to move to a "different phase" if negotiations fail to free those held captive.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards captured the group Friday, while it was conducting what Britain called an inspection of a merchant vessel near the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab, at the northern end of the Persian Gulf.
Britain said the Royal Navy crew were seized in the Iraqi part of the waterway, where the border with Iran is disputed. Iran however says the group was in Iranian waters.
In an interview on GMTV on Tuesday Blair said: "I hope we manage to get them (the Iranian government) to realize they have to release them. If not, then this will move into a different phase."
Asked what that meant, Blair said: "Well, we will just have to see, but what they should understand is that we cannot have a situation where our servicemen and women are seized when actually they are in Iraqi waters under a U.N. mandate, patrolling perfectly rightly and in accordance with that mandate, and then effectively captured and taken to Iran."
Blair's spokesman said later the prime minister did not mean Iranian diplomats would be expelled or military action was likely.
His office did say though that officials may have to make public evidence proving the Britons were seized in Iraqi -- not Iranian -- waters, if there is no swift release of the sailors.
"We want to resolve this quickly without having a public confrontation with them, but as the prime minister said we want to resolve it. If we cannot resolve it quickly, then maybe we have to be more explicit," said the spokesman.
CNN's European Political Editor Robin Oakley said Blair's reference to a "different phase" intrigued many people.
"Downing Street officials said Mr Blair wasn't hinting at expelling Iranian diplomats from London or at any kind of military action," Oakley said.
"What is likely is that British authorities will shift the dialogue steadily from private exchanges to more public ones. Diplomats also expect there to be more concerted action at the United Nations if the men are not released soon. British authorities are confident that they have evidence to prove their insistence that the Royal Navy personnel never left Iraqi waters."
Earlier Tuesday, Iran said the 15 sailors and marines were healthy and being treated in a humane fashion.
"They are in completely good health. Rest assured that they have been treated with humanitarian and moral behavior," Mohammad Ali Hosseini, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Hosseini said the one woman in the group, Faye Turney, had complete privacy. "Definitely all ethics have been observed," he said. A file photo of Turney, taken in 2000, was released Tuesday.
The official declined to say where the marines were being held and repeated that their case was under investigation.
"The case should follow procedures," Hosseini said. "Media hyperbole will not help (speed things up)."
Meanwhile on Tuesday the U.S. Navy started its largest show of force in the Persian Gulf since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, led by a pair of aircraft carriers and backed by warplanes off the coast of Iran.
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Kevin Aandahl told AP the maneuvers were not organized in response to the capture of the British sailors -- nor were they meant to threaten the Islamic Republic, whose navy operates in the same waters. (Full story)
Sailors questioned
Hard-liners in Iran have urged the government to charge the 15 marines and sailors with espionage and put them on trial.
No official word has emerged on whether Iran's government will do so.
But, according to AP, Iran has begun questioning the sailors and marines.
"It should become clear whether their entry was intentional or unintentional. After that is clarified, the necessary decision will be made," AP quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mehzi Mostafavi as saying.
Competing claims
The group was part of a boarding party from the frigate HMS Cornwall, which was on routine patrol to prevent smuggling, Britain's Ministry of Defense said. (Location of incident)
The vessel was intercepted on suspicion of smuggling automobiles, a U.S. military official who monitors the region told CNN. The official insisted on anonymity because the incident did not involve American forces.
Britain insists the group was in Iraqi waters, a claim Iraq supports; Iran insists it was in Iranian waters.
Competing claims on the waterway, which provides Iraq's only outlet to the Gulf, was one of the causes of the 1980-88 war between Iran and Iraq. (Read about the contested waterway)
The incident could escalate an already fraught relationship between Iran and the West.
On Saturday, the U.N. Security Council of Saturday agreed to tougher sanctions against Iran for its refusal to meet U.N. demands that it halt uranium enrichment. Many in the West fear the country's nuclear program is not for power generation but for arms making, a claim Iran denies. (Full story)
Iran's semi-official FARS News Agency reported the same day that the captives were taken to Tehran to explain their "aggressive behavior," and that they had confessed to trespassing into Iranian waters.
This is not the first such incident. In 2004, Iran stopped three British boats and seized eight Royal Navy Sailors and six Royal Marines. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said at the time the three boats had crossed into Iran's territorial waters, and the detained servicemen appeared on Iranian television blindfolded.
They were released after Iran said it determined they had mistakenly crossed into Iran's waters, a claim Britain never accepted.
CNN's Aneesh Raman contributed to this report.
Copyright 2007 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.

Hicks pleads guilty at Guantanamo

GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) -- Australian prisoner David Hicks on Monday pleaded guilty before a U.S. military tribunal to a charge of providing material support to terrorists.
The 31-year-old former kangaroo skinner was accused of fighting for al Qaeda in Afghanistan during the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 and has been held at Guantanamo for more than five years. He announced his decision at a hearing in the U.S. war crimes tribunal at the base.
Hicks answered "Yes, sir," when the judge, Marine Col. Ralph Kohlmann, asked if that was in fact his plea.
Hicks had faced life imprisonment if convicted. The judge ordered the prosecutors and defense lawyers to draw up a plea agreement by 4 p.m. ET (2000 GMT) on Tuesday, which was expected to spell out what sentence he would serve.
Under a long-standing diplomatic agreement, Hicks will serve his sentence in Australia.
Copyright 2007 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

2 rescued in Gulf after falling off cruise ship

HOUSTON, Texas (CNN) -- Cruise line officials are trying to figure out how two passengers managed to fall at least 50 feet from a ship's balcony into the Gulf of Mexico Sunday, where they were rescued hours later.
"You cannot just fall off a ship," said Princess Lines' spokeswoman Julie Benson, describing the occurrence as "extremely rare ... this hasn't happened to Princess, that I can recall."
The 22-year-old man and 20-year-old woman -- who have not been identified publicly other than as Americans -- fell at about 1:30 a.m., 150 miles from Galveston, Benson said.
They were recovering Sunday with minor injuries in the medical center aboard the Grand Princess, a spokeswoman for Princess Cruises told CNN.
"They're being watched and treated for their injuries," which include hypothermia from the 71-degree water, Benson said.
In addition to being extremely rare, the outcome of the incident was "extremely lucky," Benson said.
Falling 50 to 60 feet into water is itself "rather treacherous," she said. The fact that the two fell into pitch-black water roiled by sea swells, current and wind made the incident even more dangerous, she said.
"It appears, at the moment, that it was just a terrible accident, and there was nothing sinister about it," she said, adding it was not clear whether the two had known each other prior to the voyage or how they both fell.
They were reported missing after their friends "heard screams" and discovered the two were missing, a passenger said the ship's captain had told him.
"When alerted to this, the ship stopped, initiated an emergency search operation, and returned to the position where the overboard incident was initially reported," Benson said, adding that the ship turned around and headed back within 10 minutes of getting word.
"Rescue boats were launched from Grand Princess, and the U.S. Coast Guard was notified," she said.
Capt. Ed Perrin, a Briton with some 20 years experience, "turned around rather immediately" and attempted to retrace his path, taking into account such variables as current and wind, Benson said.
At 5:30 a.m., after four hours in the water, the woman was found and pulled from the water by the crew of a rescue boat that had been lowered from the cruise liner; a half hour later, the man was rescued, she said.
Neither had been wearing a life jacket, she said.
The two passengers remained on board as the ship continued toward a scheduled stop Monday in Costa Maya, Mexico. The nearly five hours lost to the search were made up "just by increasing the speed," Benson said. "The ship will be maintaining its original schedule."
The Grand Princess, with 2,783 passengers and 1,122 crew, departed Galveston on Saturday afternoon for a week-long voyage through the western Caribbean.

Cricket team heads home amid probe into death

(CNN) -- The Pakistani cricket team arrived in London on Sunday after being permitted to leave Jamaica following further questioning of individual members about the death of coach Bob Woolmer.
Mark Shields, Jamaica's deputy police commissioner, told a news conference late Saturday that investigators wanted to clear up ambiguities in original statements by three team members to police two days ago.
Those questioned were team manager Talat Ali, team captain Inzamam Ul-Haq and player and assistant coach Mushtaq Ahmed, he said.
Shields told reporters that the questioning was "standard police procedure."
Police are looking at betting and match fixing among their lines of inquiry. (Watch what has emerged as a possible motive in Woolmer's murder )
Woolmer, 58, was found in his Pegasus Hotel room last Sunday. He was declared dead at a hospital soon afterward.
Earlier this week, Jamaican police questioned, fingerprinted and took DNA samples from the entire Pakistani contingent -- players, managers and trainers.
The team touched down at London's main Heathrow Airport after boarding a flight from the Caribbean late on Saturday.
Players were the last to leave the plane and were escorted off by six police officers.
Television pictures showed the team looking grim-faced and speaking little as they headed to collect their baggage.
They then boarded a bus parked at the back of the terminal to avoid camera crews waiting for them in the main concourse.
The Pakistani contingent will be staying at a hotel near the airport until Tuesday, team spokesman Pervez Mir said on Sunday.
He said team members were distressed over speculation that Woolmer's death might be related to match fixing.
"There have been a lot of unnecessary rumors," Mir said.
Players are prepared to return to Jamaica if investigators require further assistance, Mir said, adding that the team does not expect to meet with British police.
Woolmer's death came only hours after Pakistan's humiliating elimination from the World Cricket Cup competition by an unheralded Irish team on St. Patrick's Day.
Nasim Ashraf, who resigned as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board after last Saturday's defeat, told CNN he received an e-mail that Woolmer sent last Saturday evening, expressing disappointment over the loss.
"I would like to praise my association with the Pakistan team, but now I would like to announce my retirement after the World Cup to live the rest of my life in Cape Town," the e-mail read.
Match-fixing scandals -- some involving millions of dollars -- have plagued the international game over the last two decades. Some players have been banned for life and others jailed.
Pakistan's loss in the tournament prompted outrage among the team's hard-core fans. In the streets of Karachi, Pakistan -- before the news of Woolmer's death -- protesters burned effigies of Ul-Haq.
Woolmer, who was English, played Test cricket for England in the mid-1970s. He coached the South African national team before taking over as Pakistan's coach in 2004.
-- CNN's John Raedler in Kingston and Alphonso Van Marsh in London contributed to this report

Security Council approves new sanctions on Iran

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- Iran's foreign minister rejected a unanimous vote by the U.N. Security Council on Saturday to impose new sanctions on Iran because of its refusal to suspend its uranium enrichment program.
Speaking to the 15-member council in measured tones after the vote, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said, "Iran presents no threat to international peace and security and therefore falls outside the council's charter mandate."
Western nations, including the United States, contend Iran is using the uranium program to develop nuclear weapons, but Iran says the technology will only be for civilian use.
"As we have stressed time and again, Iran's nuclear program is completely peaceful," Mottaki said.
Despite his denial that the Security Council has any power over Iran, Mottaki offered hope that the impasse can be resolved.
"We have expressed our readiness to take unprecedented steps and offered several proposals to allay possible concern in this regard," he said.
Expressing the divide between Iran and the U.N. demand, the acting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Alejandro Wolff, said:
"While we hope that Iran complies with this resolution ... the United States is fully prepared to take additional measures in 60 days should Iran choose another course."
China's U.N. ambassador, Wang Guangya, said China supports Iran's right to a peaceful nuclear energy program, but fully backed the resolution.
"We support the Security Council in taking further and appropriate actions to urge the Iranian side to suspend enrichment-related activities, in order to bring the process back to the negotiation track," Wang said.
The new measures follow a resolution adopted December 23 that prohibited trade with Iran in nuclear materials and ballistic missiles. It also froze assets of individuals and institutions involved in Tehran's atomic programs.
The new embargo on Iranian weapons exports -- such as small arms and explosives -- is an attempt to put the squeeze on supplies to militants in the Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Iraq.
Nations and international banks are barred from making any new loans to Iran. The new penalties build on previous sanctions barring transfer of nuclear materials and know-how.
The latest sanctions, formulated last week by the five permanent members of the council -- the United States, China, Russia, Britain and France -- plus Germany, freeze the assets of 28 additional individuals and organizations involved in Iran's nuclear and missile programs. About a third of those are linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, an elite military corps.
The resolution also calls for a voluntary travel embargo on Iranian officials and Revolutionary Guard commanders.
Several council members spoke before the vote, stressing that they prefer to resolve the issue of nuclear development through negotiation.
"This resolution is about the need to build international confidence in Iran's nuclear program," said Rezlan Ishar Jenie, Indonesia's U.N. ambassador.
The British ambassador to the United Nations, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, who chaired the six-nation group, said after the vote, "The path of proliferation by Iran is not one that the international community can accept.
"We want Iran to make the right choice: cooperation with the international community, which requires the removal of any doubt that Iran could develop nuclear weapons," Jones Parry said.
"The resolve of the Security Council is clear -- Iran must make its choice."
In other comments, Wolff said, "The United States is pleased that the Security Council has once again unanimously taken action against what is clearly a great threat to international peace and security."
Iran's continued "defiance" requires that the council take such action, he added.
Speaking for the White House, National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe told CNN:
"Once again, the United Nations Security Council has voted unanimously -- a vote with the support of not just the permanent members, but also Islamic and nonaligned countries -- to send a strong message to Iran's leaders: Stop isolating your country and your people, suspend your program and come to the table.
"The international community is united: It's time for Iran to comply or potentially face harsher measures in the future."
French U.N. Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere said, "Nobody in this council wishes to deny Iran its rights, or to prevent the Iranian people from benefiting from nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
"All states party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty have the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy" as long as they meet the Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations.
"It is unacceptable that the Iranian authorities find pretext to shirk from their commitments" under that treaty, de la Sabliere said.
The 10 nonpermanent council members are Belgium, Italy, Qatar, Congo, Panama, Slovakia, Ghana, Peru, South Africa and Indonesia.

Iran says British sailors 'admit' to illegal entry

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran says the 15 British sailors and marines seized by Iran in the Persian Gulf have admitted to trespassing into Iranian territory, the semi-official FARS News Agency reported Saturday.
But the British Ministry of Defence would not confirm the report.
The British government said its request to communicate with the detained troops has not been granted by Iran.
Earlier Saturday, FARS reported that the sailors and marines were brought to Tehran to explain their "aggressive behavior." (Watch how British sailors and marines were seized )
The British Ministry of Defence said Friday the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy surrounded and seized the marines while they were conducting a routine inspection on a merchant vessel. They were then "escorted by Iranian vessels into Iranian territorial waters." (Location of incident)
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman on Saturday condemned the British government for attempting to cover up its "blunder" and said it should stop "putting blame on others," according to IRNA, the state-run Iranian news agency.
Hours after reports of the arrests surfaced, a flurry of diplomatic activity ensued.
Britain announced it had called Iran's ambassador for a meeting and demanded the immediate release of the marines while Iran announced on state-run TV that it had asked Britain's representative to Tehran to explain why the personnel had crossed into Iranian territory.
Iran waited until late Friday to release a statement. The report was aired on state-run TV and sourced Iranian foreign ministry officials. There was no mention of where the marines were being held or what would happen next, only that they were arrested for trespassing.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said Friday her office was making clear it expected the personnel to be released immediately, along with "a full explanation of what happened." She was in England at the time.
A U.S. military official who monitors the region told CNN the marines stopped a vessel suspected of smuggling automobiles, and boarded it for an inspection. While the marines were on board, as many as six ships from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy showed up and claimed the British had entered Iranian waters.
A dispute ensued over whether the marines were on Iraqi or Iranian territorial waters, and the 15 were then seized and taken to Iran, along with the two small rigid hull inflatable boats they had used to get from their ship to the vessel, the U.S. military official said. The official insisted on anonymity because the incident did not involve the U.S. military.
Nick Lambert, commodore of the ship, said his marines were inside Iraqi territorial waters when they were arrested. There was no fighting and no use of weapons, he told a BBC pool reporter on the ship. "It was entirely peaceful."
The incident threatened to exacerbate the tension between Iran and much of the West on the eve of a U.N. Security Council vote to impose new sanctions on Iran. The world powers will meet Saturday to consider that next step in the dispute over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. (Full story)
There have been similar incidents in the past. In 2004, Iran stopped three British boats and seized eight sailors and six marines. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said at the time the three boats had crossed into Iran's territorial waters.
The detained servicemen appeared on Iranian television blindfolded.
They were released after Iran said it determined they had mistakenly crossed into Iran's waters.
-- CNN's Nicola Goulding contributed to this report

DNA samples taken from slain coach's team

From CNN's John Raedler
Adjust font size:
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (CNN) -- Jamaican police on Friday took DNA samples from the entire Pakistani contingent to the Cricket World Cup in their investigation into the strangulation of Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer earlier this week, a team spokesman said.
Pervez Mir said the DNA testing was supposed to have taken place Thursday, before the team left Kingston for Montego Bay, but police agreed to allow the tests to take place Friday so the team would not miss its flight.
A Jamaican government helicopter flew the test samples back to Kingston when they were processed, Mir said.
Before departing Kingston for Montego Bay on Thursday, all members of the Pakistani contingent -- players, managers and trainers -- gave statements to police and were fingerprinted.
Jamaican police announced Friday that they were treating the death of Woolmer, 58, as a homicide. He was found unconscious in his hotel room on Sunday and declared dead at a hospital soon afterward.
On Thursday, Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Shields urged anyone with any information about the case to come forward.
"It's a very busy hotel," he said. "I'm absolutely certain that someone saw something that could help us in this investigation."
Asked about suspects, Shields said only that "we have a few definite lines of inquiry."
Among those lines of inquiry, Shields later said, was betting on cricket matches and match fixing. (Watch what has emerged as a possible motive in Woolmer's murder )
Woolmer's death came only hours after Pakistan's shocking elimination from the Cricket World Cup competition by the relatively unknown Irish team on St. Patrick's Day.
Cricket officials have also begun an investigation into possible match fixing.
Woolmer's family said on Friday they were perplexed by his murder, dismissing reports the coach was involved with match fixing or that a book he wrote was behind his death.
"To the best the family's knowledge there is absolutely nothing to suggest Bob was involved in match fixing," his wife and sons said in a statement.
"Contrary to reports, they can confirm there is nothing in any book Bob had written that would explain this situation and there were no threats received," the statement said, read by Woolmer's manager Michael Cohen at the family home in Cape Town, South Africa.
Police refused to comment on a report by Mir that the walls and floor of the bathroom of Woolmer's room were spattered with blood, vomit and feces. (Watch Mir describe what he saw )
Pakistan's loss on Saturday prompted outrage among the team's hard-core fans. In the streets of Karachi -- before the news of Woolmer's death -- protesters burned effigies of Woolmer and the team captain.
Woolmer, who was English, played Test cricket for England in the mid-1970s. He coached the South African national team before taking over as Pakistan's coach in 2004.
On Friday, the ICC said the World Cup will continue despite calls for it to be suspended in the wake of Woolmer's death. (Full story)

Murder cops DNA Pakistani team

From CNN's John Raedler
Adjust font size:
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (CNN) -- Jamaican police on Friday took DNA samples from the entire Pakistani contingent to the Cricket World Cup in their investigation into the strangulation of Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer earlier this week, a team spokesman said.
Pervez Mir said the DNA testing was supposed to have taken place Thursday, before the team left Kingston for Montego Bay, but police agreed to allow the tests to take place Friday so the team would not miss its flight.
A Jamaican government helicopter flew the test samples back to Kingston when they were processed, Mir said.
Before departing Kingston for Montego Bay on Thursday, all members of the Pakistani contingent -- players, managers and trainers -- gave statements to police and were fingerprinted.
Jamaican police announced Friday that they were treating the death of Woolmer, 58, as a homicide. He was found unconscious in his hotel room on Sunday and declared dead at a hospital soon afterward.
On Thursday, Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Shields urged anyone with any information about the case to come forward.
"It's a very busy hotel," he said. "I'm absolutely certain that someone saw something that could help us in this investigation."
Asked about suspects, Shields said only that "we have a few definite lines of inquiry."
Among those lines of inquiry, Shields later said, was betting on cricket matches and match fixing. (Watch what has emerged as a possible motive in Woolmer's murder )
Woolmer's death came only hours after Pakistan's shocking elimination from the Cricket World Cup competition by the relatively unknown Irish team on St. Patrick's Day.
Cricket officials have also begun an investigation into possible match fixing.
Woolmer's family said on Friday they were perplexed by his murder, dismissing reports the coach was involved with match fixing or that a book he wrote was behind his death.
"To the best the family's knowledge there is absolutely nothing to suggest Bob was involved in match fixing," his wife and sons said in a statement.
"Contrary to reports, they can confirm there is nothing in any book Bob had written that would explain this situation and there were no threats received," the statement said, read by Woolmer's manager Michael Cohen at the family home in Cape Town, South Africa.
Police refused to comment on a report by Mir that the walls and floor of the bathroom of Woolmer's room were spattered with blood, vomit and feces. (Watch Mir describe what he saw )
Pakistan's loss on Saturday prompted outrage among the team's hard-core fans. In the streets of Karachi -- before the news of Woolmer's death -- protesters burned effigies of Woolmer and the team captain.
Woolmer, who was English, played Test cricket for England in the mid-1970s. He coached the South African national team before taking over as Pakistan's coach in 2004.
On Friday, the ICC said the World Cup will continue despite calls for it to be suspended in the wake of Woolmer's death. (Full story

EU backing for 'open skies' deal

Supporters say 'open skies' should bring down airline faresEuropean Union transport ministers have unanimously backed an "open skies" aviation deal with the US aimed at liberalising transatlantic air travel.
The deal, which has been criticised by some UK airlines, eases restrictions on travel between Europe and the US.
The deal will also challenge British Airways' dominance at Heathrow airport.
But EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said the deal could collapse if the US did not act to allow foreign airlines more investment in the sector.
Investment issue
The UK had raised concerns that open skies reform does not go far enough on US airline ownership rights.
The US has insisted on limiting any foreign company from owning more than 25% of a US airline's voting rights.
"We want not only to open flights to competition but also to open up foreign investment in aviation," Mr Barrot told the BBC's Joe Lynam.
"I attach a lot of importance to this goal."
Supporters say open skies reform will boost competition between airlines and lead to lower air fares.
The EU is naive to believe the US will deliver on the next stage of liberalisation without sanctions
Willie Walsh, BA chief executive
Q&A: Open skies deal
US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters welcomed the decision, saying the deal would boost "economic, political, and personal relationships between our two continents for years to come."
However, at Britain's request, EU ministers agreed to delay plans to implement the deal from October this year to March 2008.
The UK had raised concerns that open skies reform did not go far enough on US airline ownership rights.
The US has insisted on limiting any foreign company from owning more than 25% of a US airline's voting rights.
Tough choices
The EU said consumers would see a total of up to $16bn (£8.1bn) in economic benefits as a result of the deal, as increased competition brings down air fares.
Officials said the agreement could generate 26 million more airline passengers over the next five years, and create up to 80,000 new jobs in the EU and US.

British Airways is keen to protect its slots at Heathrow
Under the open skies plan, any EU-based airline will be allowed to fly from any city within the EU to any city in the US, and vice versa.
But while US airlines will gain free access to European airports, EU carriers will not be allowed the same rights on domestic routes within the US.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh said the EU had been "naive to believe the US will deliver on the next stage of liberalisation without sanctions".
He added: "With the EU having given away their most valuable negotiating asset - Heathrow - the UK government must stand by its pledge to withdraw traffic rights if the US does not deliver further liberalisation by 2010."
'Good day'
UK rival Virgin Atlantic said it was looking at expanding its services in Europe, possibly offering flights to New York from key European hubs including Paris and Amsterdam.
"It's a good day for the traveller as consumers should eventually be able to fly from any city to any city between the EU and US, and within those countries," said Virgin Atlantic boss Sir Richard Branson.
HAVE YOUR SAY
This is a poor decision for the UK, our airlines gain nothing in America
Ray Cork, Derby
Send us your comments
BMI said the decision heralded a "landmark" change to the regulation of flights between Europe and the US.
"Millions of travellers will benefit from additional competition, including lower fares and a greater choice of services," the airline said.
Negotiating the deal was a drawn-out, four-year process, and the breakthrough was only reached weeks ago.
Among the effects of the deal will be an increase in the number of airlines using London's busy Heathrow airport.
BA, Virgin, American Airlines and United Airlines currently dominate transatlantic services from Heathrow.
The deal is set to be signed in Washington on 30 April.

Heavy fighting in Somali capital

Fifteen people have been killed in heavy fighting in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, where angry crowds dragged soldiers' bodies through the streets.
Crowds kicked the dead bodies and set them alight.
Hundreds of civilians have been fleeing the violence, which is the worst since Islamists were driven from power in December after six months of rule.
Some 1,200 African Union troops have been deployed to Mogadishu this month to try and bring stability to the city.
Dozens have been killed during insurgent attacks in Mogadishu in the past two-and-a-half months, which the government blames on remnants of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC).
Ethiopian troops, who have been in the city since December supporting Somali forces loyal to the transitional government, have been gradually handing over responsibilities to the AU force.
'Horrendous'
The latest fighting started when pro-government forces tried to take control of strongholds of the Hawiye clan, whose leaders oppose the presence of Ethiopian forces.
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan says Somali and Ethiopian troops, supported by tanks and armoured vehicles, entered an insurgent area of central Mogadishu before dawn.
This was a horrendous act and we are unhappy about the violence
US envoy Michael Ranneberger
Somalia's complex conflict
They were met by hundreds of masked insurgents, the first face-to-face confrontation between the two sides since December.
Shooting and mortar fire started and quickly spread to other parts of the city and at least seven government soldiers were killed, our reporter says.
In the north-east of the city - an Islamist stronghold - photographs show people gathered around the body of a soldier killed during the fighting.
Other pictures posted on the Shabelle Media Network's website show the bodies of two soldiers being dragged through the streets.
Shabelle reports that one was a Somalia government soldier, the other an Ethiopian fighter.
Correspondents say the scenes evoke memories of events in 1993 when the bodies of US soldiers were dragged through the streets of Mogadishu by militiamen.
"This was a horrendous act and we are unhappy about the violence but this was something we expected because extremists elements are re-grouping in Mogadishu to sabotage the interim government," US envoy in Nairobi Michael Ranneberger told reporters.
Signal
Somalia enjoyed a six-month lull in the insecurity that had dogged the country for the past 16 years when the UIC took power last year.
But insecurity has returned to the city and the UN estimates some 40,000 people have fled from Mogadishu since February.
Our correspondent says there has been a dramatic escalation in attacks against government targets in recent weeks.
It comes at a time when the government says it plans to hold a national reconciliation conference in Mogadishu in April.
Insurgents may want to signal that the city is not safe to hold the meeting in, he says.
The US government has requested Congress to approve $60m to fund deployment of AU troops and support the national reconciliation conference planned for April, Mr Ranneberger said.

Woolmer was strangled, police say

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CNN) -- A pathology report indicated that Pakistani cricket coach Bob Woolmer died of "manual strangulation," according to a statement from Jamaican police commissioner Lucius Thomas.
"In these circumstances, the matter of Mr. Woolmer's death is now being treated by the Jamaican police as a case of murder," the statement said Thursday night.
Police announced Tuesday that Woolmer's death was suspicious, two days after he was found unconscious in his room at the Pegasus Hotel. Woolmer, 58, was declared dead at a hospital soon after he was found. (Watch what has emerged as a possible motive in Woolmer's murder )
Initial media reports indicated he died of a heart attack.
Woolmer's death came less than 24 hours after former world champion Pakistan was beaten and eliminated by the relatively unknown Irish team on St. Patrick's Day, one of the biggest shocks in World Cup cricket history. The loss on Saturday prompted outrage among the team's hardcore fans, with protesters burning effigies of Woolmer and the team captain in Karachi.
Asked about suspects, Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Shields would only say, "We have a few definite lines of inquiry," acknowledging later that betting on cricket matches was among them.
Shields urged people with any information about the case to come forward.
"It's a very busy hotel," he said. "I'm absolutely certain that someone saw something that could help us in this investigation."
Blood, vomit and diarrhea were splattered over the walls and floor of Woolmer's hotel bathroom, said Pakistan's team spokesman Pervez Mir Wednesday afternoon. (Watch Mir describe what he saw )
Police refused to comment on that report.
Earlier on Thursday, police fingerprinted all members of the Pakistani cricket team at the hotel, and they were to submit statements to police as part of the ongoing investigation, Mir said.
"It is standard procedure," Mir added. "Each of them will come along and give a written statement."
The players' hotel rooms were on the same floor as Woolmer's.
The team has been cleared to leave Kingston, and there was no reason to detain anyone, a Jamaican official said Thursday.
The team left the hotel secretly and was believed to be flying to Montego Bay, Jamaica, for two days' rest before returning to Pakistan.
Woolmer, who was English, played Test cricket for England in the mid-1970s. He later turned to coaching and coached the South African national team before taking over as Pakistan's coach in 2004.
CNN's John Raedler contributed to this report

Edwards: Wife's cancer returns, campaign goes on

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (CNN) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Thursday his wife's cancer has returned but his bid for the White House will continue.
"The campaign goes on," the former senator from North Carolina said at a news conference, contradicting earlier media reports.
John Edwards said tests this week had shown his wife, Elizabeth, had cancer in a rib on her right side. He said the cancer is treatable but not curable.
"We are very optimistic about this," he said, noting that the tumor is small in size and has a "relatively minimal presence."
Elizabeth Edwards, 57, said she was "incredibly optimistic" and said her expectations about the future were unchanged.
"I expect to do next week all the things I did last week. And the week after that, and next year at the same time," she said.
And she wanted her husband to continue his run for the presidency. (Watch the couple explain future plans )
"From our perspective, there was no reason to stop," the candidate said. "I don't think we seriously thought about it."
He said, "You can go cower in the corner and hide or you can go out there and stand up for what you believe in. We have no intentions of cowering in the corner."
Elizabeth Edwards played a key role in convincing her husband to continue his campaign, a source close to both John and Elizabeth Edwards told CNN's Candy Crowley.
"Elizabeth is not going to let him get out," the friend told Crowley before the Edwards news conference.
Elizabeth Edwards said she was fortunate that she felt pain from a cracked rib and got X-rays that revealed the cancer.
Dr. Lisa Carey, the oncologist treating Edwards, categorized the cancer as metastatic Stage 4 cancer, which is largely confined to the bones. She said the prognosis was good. (Full story)
Elizabeth Edwards first underwent treatment for breast cancer after the 2004 campaign in which her husband was the Democratic vice presidential nominee.
John Edwards, who was campaigning in Iowa, cut short the rest of his schedule on Tuesday to be with his spouse. The two went to see the doctor together Wednesday.
The former lawmaker ran for president in 2004 before becoming Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry's running mate. Edwards announced in December that he would again seek the party's presidential nomination.
Most national polls show him running third behind Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider said that Edwards has campaigned on more liberal stances than he did in 2004.
"He's been reaching out, really, to the liberal activists in the Democratic Party who represent a very significant base of support, particularly in the primaries and the caucuses," Schneider said.
Schneider said Edwards has been banking on winning in the so-called "January" states -- Iowa, Nevada, South Carolina and New Hampshire -- that hold primaries or caucuses in the first month of 2008.
"Basically, the strategy was to make a big shows in the early states, and many polls showed him ahead in Iowa, where he came in second in the 2004 contest, hoping that the momentum created by those, at least a victory, at least one, possibly more states would give him momentum, going into the big states in February," Schneider said.
Immediately after Thursday's briefing, the Edwardses planned to travel to New York and Massachusetts, where their oldest daughter is at Harvard University.
On Tuesday, the Democratic candidate campaigned at Iowa's Biomass Energy Conversion Center, unveiling a plan intended to achieve energy independence and halt global warming. (Watch Edwards declare global warming a "huge emergency" )
Edwards and his wife met in law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They married in 1977 and have had four children. Their first child, Wade, was killed in a 1996 car accident.
In her 2006 book, "Saving Graces," Elizabeth Edwards wrote about her life, including cancer treatment and the death of her son.
CNN's Candy Crowley contributed to this report.