Canada-Israel Committee responds to Canada's announcement on Iran

OTTAWA, June 22 /CNW/ - The Canada-Israel Committee (CIC) welcomes today's announcement on Iran by both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon.

"We are deeply appreciative of today's confirmation that the government has implemented all the measures aligned with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929, and Canada's intention to use its G-8 Presidency to maintain international focus on Iran's nuclear program," stated CIC National Chair Moshe Ronen.

The CIC urges the government to impose additional sanctions through the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA). SEMA is the most appropriate tool by which Canada can address the threat posed by Iran. Indeed, the legislative framework and previous invocations of SEMA demonstrate the Act's flexibility, expediency and efficacy in responding to threats to international peace and security. In addition to the important signal to Iran represented by the invocation of SEMA, this initiative will reinforce Canada's role as an important leader within the international community and as a champion of non-military intervention whenever possible.

It is our hope that the Iranian regime will respond positively to the newest UNSC resolution and halt its illicit nuclear enrichment program. Ronen observed that "If Iran's only intention is to build a nuclear energy program for peaceful purposes, then it is clear that the international community has offered Iran alternative means to obtain the materials it needs. However, Iran's continued intransigence and obfuscation over its nuclear programme clearly demonstrates that it has other malevolent ambitions."

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