Ahmadinejad-Islamic Goodwill
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the decision to release British sailors was made by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a present to the people of Britain.

The president, who was speaking at a press conference here Wednesday, was responding to a question by a western reporter who asked if the release of British sailors had been the result of a deal between the two governments.

President Ahmadinejad rejected the idea of 'compromise or concession' in the issue and stressed that the British naval troopers were released due to Islamic goodwill and a decision made by the Islamic Republic of Iran on the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of the Great Prophet of Islam Muhammad (PBUH).

He said," When we do something due to Islamic goodwill, we do not expect to receive any rewards."
The president said the British government had sent a note to Iran to say that such actions would never again be repeated.

"However," the president added, "the decision of releasing the British sailors was not taken because of the note."