WASHINGTON, April 3 (UPI) -- President Bush on Tuesday reiterated support for Britain's refusal to engage in a quid pro quo resolution with Iran to end the hostage crisis.
"I said the other day -- first of all, the seizure of the sailors is indefensible by the Iranians, and that I support the Blair government's attempts to solve this issue peacefully," Bush said. "So were in close consultation with the British government.
"I also strongly support the prime minister's declaration that there should be no quid pro quos when it comes to the hostages."
Fifteen British service personnel were seized by Iranian forces on March 23 while on patrol in the Gulf. Britain says the sailors and Royal Marines were in Iraqi waters looking for smugglers. Iran claims they were in Iranian territory.
An Iranian official was quoted in news reports Tuesday as suggesting a U.S. release of as many as five Iranians taken into custody in Iraq late last year may help resolve the British-Iranian dispute. The Iranians were detained in December by U.S. forces on suspicion of possible involvement in insurgent attacks on U.S. and Iraqi government forces.
Britain wants its hostages released unconditionally.
Bush made the comment during a news conference at the White House Tuesday when asked if he was willing to trade the detained Iranians for the detained Britons.
