(No. 85 – February 26, 2010 – 6:15 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the latest anti-Israel comments made by Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:
“Canada strongly condemns the anti-Israel comments made by Iran’s President on February 25, 2010. His repeated threats against Israel and the Jewish people are deplorable and are outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour for the leader of a member of the United Nations. His noxious views also undermine efforts for reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.
“Such comments add to the concerns of the international community over the threat Iran poses to international peace and security. Canada will continue to denounce all those who deny the existence of Israel and who threaten the Jewish people. We will continue to speak out against such unacceptable and threatening language.
“The Government of Canada also remains deeply concerned over the Iranian regime’s continued stifling of democracy, its blatant disregard of basic human rights, its failure to meet its nuclear obligations, and its irresponsible behaviour, which threatens regional and global stability.”
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