Britons halted minutes before flight to freedom

Press, 27 February 1981, Page 6

Britons halted minutes before flight to freedom

NZPA-Reuter Teheran Three British Anglicans released after six months in Iranian jails were prevented from boarding a Paris bound plane yesterday only minutes before it was due to fly them to freedom.

Two missionary doctors, John and Audrey Coleman, both 57, who have worked for more than 30 years in Iran, and Joan Waddell, 58, former secretary to the Anglican Bishop of Teheran, were forced to stay on in Teheran while officials tried to resolve the unexplained problem. Iranian spokesmen and diplomats in the British interests section of the Swedish embassy said they were at a loss for an explanation, especially as Iran’s chief public prosecutor has formally cleared

the Britons of the suspicion of spying for which they were arrested. “There has been no official clarification. . .There’s a lot. of bafflement here,” an embassy spokesman said. The three Britons, appearing relaxed and expecting no difficulties, arrived at Teheran Airport with Terry Waite, special envoy of the Archbishop of Canterbury Mr Waite has been in Teheran for three weeks working for their release and was expected to leave with them. “I am leaving Iran, but Iran is in my heart,” said Dr John Coleman, speaking the fluent Farsi (Persian) hejhas acquired during 32 years in Iran as, a medical missionary. • . 7 ; ' '■ “As far as we' are concerned, their travel documents were in order. We are trying to establish what

went wrong,” the embassy spokesman said. Sixteen days ago, an American freelance journalist, Cynthia Dwyer, was turned back by airport officials just before she was to leave Iran on a scheduled flight after being released from prison. Mrs Dwyer was convicted of “espionage.” She was allowed to leave a day-later. ' Diplomatic sources said that after the three Britons had gbne through passport control they were stopped by. an Iranian who said he was; a member of the Prime Minister’s office.

He had asked the three pot to board the waiting air. liner, but to wait ior a few hours apd take the next aircraft out. However, there are no flights to Europe until late today.