Canadian government blindly following Britain: Iran MP



 

Story Source: Press TV

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/09/08/260423/canada-blind-follower-of-britain/

A senior Iranian lawmaker has hit out at Canada for its “hostile” decision to close its embassy in Tehran, saying the Canadian government is “blindly” following Britain.

“The British government certainly seeks to lead its friends to the same path that it had taken. Therefore, this decision was in fact blind acquiescence by the Canadian government,” Chairman of the Majlis (parliament) Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Alaeddin Boroujerdi told Fars news agency on Friday.

He added that Canada is under the control of Britain and the governor appointed by the British queen, saying that all important decisions are made by the governor in coordination with the queen.

The Iranian legislator emphasized that London has been disappointed with Iran's move to close the British embassy in Tehran.

In November 2011, Iranian lawmakers voted by a large majority to downgrade diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom in response to the UK's decision to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran, over the allegation that Tehran's nuclear energy program may consist of a covert military agenda.

Two days after the decision by Iran’s Majlis, hundreds of Iranian students staged a protest outside the British Embassy in Tehran pulling down the UK flag and demanding the expulsion of the British envoy.

Following the incident, Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague announced on November 30, 2011, that London is withdrawing its diplomatic staff from Iran and that the Iranian embassy in London will be closed.

Boroujerdi further said that Canada sought to undermine the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) recently held in Tehran, adding the Canadian government’s decision was also a reaction to the success in holding the summit.

He called on Iran's Foreign Ministry to show a swift and firm reaction to Canada’s move and immediately expel the staff of the Canadian embassy in Tehran.

The 16th NAM Summit wrapped up in the Iranian capital on August 31, with the member states passing a final resolution, which included over 700 clauses.