Canadian foreign affair's response re my letter to the PM

Dear Mr. Anari:

Thank you for your email of August 5, 2009, expressing further concerns about the situation in Iran following the Presidential election of June 12, 2009. I regret the delay in replying.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was inaugurated for a second term, with confirmation by the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on August 3, 2009, and the oath of office in Parliament on August 5. There were no

Canadian representatives at either ceremony. I also wish to clarify that Canada recognizes states, not governments.

While Canada has serious concerns about human rights in Iran, it would not support the expulsion of Iran from the United Nations (UN). The UN is the world body for all states, even ones who demonstrate a lack of

respect for its principles. Further, the UN offers a necessary and important forum where we can engage states like Iran and attempt to influence their behaviour.

This being said, on September 23, 2009, I led the Canadian delegation in walking out of UN General Assembly as President Ahmadinejad was delivering his speech. This action was to protest his past statements against Israel and his continual denial of the Holocaust as well as Iran's disregard for human rights.

You may also be interested to know that Canadian relations with Iran are governed by the Controlled Engagement Policy, which places strict limitations on contacts with Iran. For instance, Iran is not permitted to open consulates in Canada, there are no direct air links to Canada, and export controls are applied on sensitive goods. This policy reflects the Government of Canada's concerns about the Iranian government's opposition to the Middle East peace process, its support of terrorist organizations, its nuclear program and its human rights record. Under this policy, Canada limits engagement with the Iranian government to four issues: the case of murdered Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi and other consular cases, human rights, its nuclear program and regional security concerns. All programs of cooperation with the Iranian government have been halted.

Thank you for writing.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Foreign Affairs