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Canada, Iran throw pies at each other
Diplomatic relations between Canada and Iran deteriorated Friday as the ambassador to Iran returned to Ottawa and the foreign affairs minister rejected claims of Canadian injustice. Iran responded by accusing a B.C. police officer of murdering one of its nationals. A Port Moody police officer shot and killed 18-year-old Keyvan Tabesh on Monday. They allege he threatened them with a machete. Iranian officials call the shooting "incomprehensible" and have demanded those responsible be brought to justice."Itâs utterly incomprehensible! We wield machetes all the time!" Graham rejected the allegations, saying he sent a note to Iranâs embassy in Ottawa to show them how things are done in democratic societies. Was the note on one of those yellow sticky things? "We are informing the government of Iran that the body [the machete-wielding guy] has been returned to the family and the familyâs will, in terms of the disposition of the body, will be respected," says Graham. If Iran wants to connect the two incidents, it must understand analogies go both ways, he says. "I expect us to have the reciprocal rights and privileges in Iran." ...and then he woke up. Canada invited Iranian officials to observe the investigation into Tabeshâs death, but Deputy Prime Minister John Manley says a friendly resolution is unlikely. Ya think? Posted by: Rafael 2003-07-26 |
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