Friday, February 06, 2009

AFP, Ottawa, Feb 5, 2009 (excerpts) – Canada’s government expressed ’deep concern’ over Iran’s satellite launch and its capacity to launch ballistic missiles, urging nations to be vigilant on technology exports to Iran.
’Canada calls on Iran to cease its ballistic missile programs and to use its new rocket technology exclusively for peaceful purposes,’ Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said late Wednesday.
Iran’s launch Monday of the Omid (Hope) satellite carried by the home-built Safir-2 rocket has set alarm bells ringing among Western powers.
The launch comes at time when Iran is ignoring repeated UN Security Council demands to freeze its uranium enrichment activities.
’There is great concern in the international community that Iran will apply this new technology to its missile programs,’ said Cannon.
Iran, maintained Canada’s foreign ministry, ’is developing ballistic missiles that could carry weapon payloads over vast distances, such as the long-range Shahab-3 missile the country tested last July.’
The space launch is ’worrisome,’ because of Tehran’s ’failure to provide adequate reassurance that its nuclear program is for solely peaceful uses,’ the ministry said in a statement.
’The international community must remain vigilant on exports of dual-use goods, services and technology to Iran to ensure that these are not used for military purposes,’ added Cannon.
’Canada calls on Iran to comply immediately and fully with its obligations, as set out in the UN resolutions,’ he said.