Cablegate: Canadian Pm Vows to Keep Pressure On Iran

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DE RUEHOT #0162 0421410
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R 111409Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0356
INFO ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE
IRAN COLLECTIVE
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UNCLAS OTTAWA 000162

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PARM IR CA
SUBJECT: CANADIAN PM VOWS TO KEEP PRESSURE ON IRAN

REF: OTTAWA 156; STATE 12108

1. (U) Prime Minister Stephen Harper on February 10 expressed
Canada's concern about Iran's nuclear enrichment program as well as
its "deplorable human rights practices." He pledged to use
Canada's G8 presidency in 2010 to work with partners to "hold Iran
to account" through "strong and viable solutions, including
sanctions." Full text in para 2.

2. (U) Begin text of the Prime Minister's statement on February
10:

Canada is deeply disturbed by Iran's decision further to enrich its
nuclear material in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions.
The regime's latest moves bring Iran considerably closer to
possessing weapons-grade material.

Iran's past history of deliberately concealing aspects of its
nuclear program makes this latest move even more worrying. Through
its actions, Iran continues to test the resolve of the
international community.

It is time for Iran to end its defiance of the international
community, suspend its enrichment activity and take immediate steps
toward transparency and compliance by halting the construction of
new enrichment sites, and fully cooperating with the International
Atomic Energy Agency.

Canada will continue to work with our allies to find strong and
viable solutions, including sanctions, to hold Iran to account.
Canada will use its G-8 presidency to continue to focus
international attention and action on the Iranian regime.

In addition to our unease with the Iranian nuclear program, Canada
will continue to voice our very serious concerns with the Iranian
regime's stifling of democracy, its deplorable human rights
practices, and its negative implications for both regional and
global stability.

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