Iran seeking apology over actions of detained German reporters

Berlin, Jan 9, IRNA - Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said on Saturday an apology from the German publisher Axel Springer AG which employs two journalists detained in Tabriz could be helpful in their case.

Talking to the Hamburg-based weekly news magazine Der Spiegel, Salehi called on the company to admit it had made a mistake when it sent the reporters to Iran on a tourist visa in violation of that country's laws.

The journalists were arrested on October 10 when they sought to interview the son and lawyer of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, a woman convicted of helping to murder her husband.

The Iranian official added Axel Springer should apologize for distorting events, and ensure it would not occur again.

It could be a helpful gesture if the publisher and chief editors recognized they made a mistake, and apologize for it, Salehi was cited saying.

Reacting to Salehi's remarks, the management of Axel Springer and the editor of the Sunday daily Bild am Sonntag announced in a press statement that the company was ready to discuss the issue with Salehi in person either in Tehran or at another venue.

Meanwhile, Salehi told Der Spiegel that he had at at least five telephone conversations with Westerwelle on the case and invited his German counterpart to Tehran.

'We should talk about everything - including this case - based on mutual respect,' Salehi said.

Responding to Salehi's invitation, Westerwelle welcomed Tehran's readiness to help resolve the matter, labeling Salehi's comments a positive signal.

'I will not refrain in my efforts, in order that our two compatriots can return home,' Westerwelle was quoted saying.

'We will take all sensible and appropriate measures to enable their return as soon as possible,' he added./end