Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Canada Curbing Iran Diplomatic Contacts

The Globe and Mail:
Canada will further limit diplomatic contacts with Iran to push for a new investigation into the death of a Canadian photojournalist. Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew said Tuesday that he will not close the Canadian embassy in Tehran or recall the ambassador, but will keep pressing Iran for a new investigation into the death of Zahra Kazemi.

He said formal contacts with Iran will be limited to three subjects: Ms. Kazemi, Iran's human rights records and Iran's flouting of nuclear non-proliferation rules.

An Iranian appeal court listened Monday to arguments from Kazemi family lawyers urging a new investigation into her death, but it adjourned without a decision.

Mr. Pettigrew said the Iranians have to come clean on questions about Ms. Kazemi, who died in Iranian custody two years ago.