| Submit your comments on this article |
| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Canadians barred from Zahra Kazemi murer trial |
| 2004-07-15 |
| Iran has rejected Canadian demands that its diplomats observe the trial of an intelligence agent charged with beating a Canadian journalist to death. Canada has withdrawn its ambassador to Tehran in protest, saying "justice will not be done behind closed doors". Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said the case was a domestic issue, but pledged a fair trial. Iranian intelligence agent Mohammad Reza Aghdam Ahmadi pleaded not guilty to "semi-intentional murder" at the trial’s first and only session last October. The hearing was delayed to allow lawyers representing the Kazemi family to research the case, and is due to resume on Saturday. "The request for the presence of Canadian observers is contrary to all international principles and regulations and is unacceptable," Mr Asefi said on state television. But Canadian Foreign Minister Bill Graham decried Iran’s "completely unacceptable behaviour", and said he was recalling the ambassador to Tehran. He said Canada had been promised it could have three observers at the trial. The case has sparked a fierce debate between the hardline judiciary and the reformist intelligence ministry. Both sides have accused one another of staging a cover-up to divert responsibility for Ms Kazemi’s death. On Wednesday the moderate President Mohammad Khatami backed the intelligence ministry, saying: "I believe the agent was not guilty. I hope the court will bravely be able to identify the guilty person." |
| Posted by:Bulldog |
| #10 "Semi-intentional murder"? "We just meant to maim the bitch, but she died." Assholes. |
| Posted by: mojo 2004-07-15 11:19:04 AM |
| #9 So the Canadians will do nothing. They will pussy out in the murder of one of their citizens buy a terrorist sponsor. They will not even publicly call Iran a terrorist state. What use is the government of Canada if it can not and will not protect it's own? Recalling the someone really hurts Terhan. It's a useless act. Canada has been clowned by Iran. |
| Posted by: FlameBait93268 2004-07-15 10:50:09 AM |
| #8 Ed, actually the Canadian 1st Airborne Compassion Brigade would either have to fly commercial or hitch a ride with the USAF...their airlift capability is almost nil. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2004-07-15 10:21:13 AM |
| #7 Howard, it does take a lot to cheese off the Canadians, unless you're American, it which case it's easy. But Canada won't do anything more serious than recalling their ambassador. The Prime Minister is in his element talking with other very rich people at international conferences where everyone identifies a Serious Problem and decides that Something Must Be Done and then waits for the Americans to do it. The martial instinct has long disappeared from Ottawa. If the jihadists detonated a nuke in downtown Ottawa the first thought of any surviving members of the government would be to make sure that Quebec got the largest share of the rebuilding work. Talking to them about fighting back would be like talking to a dog about quantum physics. |
| Posted by: Patrick Brown 2004-07-15 9:59:06 AM |
| #6 I see this is actually a redundant post. My bad :( |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-07-15 8:28:03 AM |
| #5 A few years ago, Canada declared themselves a superpower. A superpower in compassion or something like it. They can always send over their 1st Airborne Compassion Corps and nuance the mullahs to death. |
| Posted by: ed 2004-07-15 7:32:51 AM |
| #4 Yep. Not much they can do on their own, but they could always ramp up the rhetoric and let it be known to all and sundry that they support the US's hard line on Iran (and would consider signing up to military action should it be required in future). Shouldn't be impossible domestically - Canada's home to a fair few (presumably pro-reform) Persian exiles, IIUC. I doubt they appreciate Iran's tendency to bludgeon their folk to death. |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-07-15 7:11:02 AM |
| #3 Exactly what is Canada going do? Pulling diplomatic relations doesn't punish Tehran at all. What can Canada do? I know pissing off Canada is not a good idea (not joking, they have never lost a war.) I don't think they would go the military route mostly because presently they can't. So what is left. Quit selling Wheat? |
| Posted by: FlameBait93268 2004-07-15 6:57:51 AM |
| #2 Takes a bit to cheese off the Canadians doesn't it? |
| Posted by: Howard UK 2004-07-15 6:36:27 AM |
| #1 Um, that'd be 'murder'. Sorry fellas. |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-07-15 6:35:21 AM |