Saturday, June 20, 2009

Ignatieff Speaks on Iran


Statement from Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff on Iran:

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff today condemned the Government of Iran's use of violence to stifle peaceful dissent by protesters calling for open and transparent democratic elections.

"We mourn each life lost as a result of the Government of Iran's unjust actions, and share the anguish and outrage of Canadians of Iranian origin at the suppression of peaceful protest and the apparent denial of fully free and fair elections," said Mr. Ignatieff.

Amid reports of death and injury inflicted by the Iranian government upon peaceful protesters, the Liberal Leader also encouraged the Canadian government to do all it can to help the injured at its embassy in Tehran.

"Canada should join other countries in keeping our embassy open for the humanitarian needs of the people of Iran."

Despite the media blackout put in place by the Iranian government, reports emerging largely through online social media show images of bloodshed among protesters and clashes with government police forces.

"The Iranian government cannot hide the truth from their own citizens or from the rest of the world. By answering the call for open and transparent elections with a violent disregard for the rights of its citizens, the Iranian government has further alienated itself from the international community."

"The Liberal Party of Canada strongly affirms the rights of Iranians and people everywhere to freely express themselves and associate with others, without threat to their life or liberty. We call on the Iranian government to cease the violence and continue to call for open and transparent elections."


So where is our government on this? Missing in action as far as I can tell.

28 comments:

Cari said...

Vey well said, Michael,..yes our Embassy shoul be open to help the injured.

Karen said...

We've heard nothing from Cannon or Foreign Affairs, let alone Harper.

Meanwhile the rest of the world is speaking out.

RuralSandi said...

Harper's probably in a little dark room with a night light on planning the next nasty flyer and strategy - he doesn't have time for this important stuff.

Harper never ceases to be an embarrassment.

Karen said...

The latest I've heard is that CDN embassy turned away people yesterday. Unconfirmed that it may be taking in some limited numbers today.

We're no longer any kind of player on the world stage. We've never been major power, but at least we had a reputation for peace and refuge for the oppressed.

btw, our media coverage of all of this has been pathetic. Yesterday's stories just being reported and no attempt being made to deal in real time using social media sites.

sjw said...

The Real News Network has been offering some very good coverage on the Iranian situation. I've been a subscriber for a year or so and find their style refreshing.

Good on Ignatieff. You have to think this is the arena he will shine in when he becomes PM.

Anonymous said...

"So where is our government on this? Missing in action as far as I can tell."

Here,here this is where the government is on this. Just look at the dates.

I just wish you can update your post and give the correct info. Thanks!

Karen said...

Yea, look at the dates.

Nothing since the outbreak of violence...since the shooting of people in the streets began.

To defend Harper on this is disgusting.

Anonymous said...

"Nothing since the outbreak of violence...since the shooting of people in the streets began.

To defend Harper on this is disgusting."

Whats disgusting here is for you not able to put your political partisan away for just 1 lousy second.God knows there is a lot to criticize this government.But common here.Just take a good look at my second link. It says June 19 2009 this past Friday. The violence started way before June 19 didn't? Geez talk about being partisan to the bone.

Anonymous said...

Maybe this will help it's from the CBC Last Updated: Thursday, June 18, 2009 | 11:27 AM ET

Karen said...

Partisan? I'm talking about our government here. Our government turning people away from our embassy.

Sorry, if the Libs were in power and had done this I'd be saying the same thing.

I posted Ignatieff's statement because he made one.

Karen said...

Update: A Foreign Affairs statement denies that people were turned away. It says that embassy was closed. It also denies that ppl are taking refuge in embassy.

(A little confusing no?)

Meanwhile it continues to offer consular services to Cdns.

That said, other embassies have opened their doors to the injured.

Anonymous said...

Canada has been complaining about whats happening in Iran for a while now. Iran has even told Canada to mind their own business. But you
know what? Well lets just forget it,because no matter what Canada does about the situation in Iran you would find something to scream about saying "not good enough."

At least we can all agree whats happening in Iran it's appalling.

RuralSandi said...

Iran has told other countries to mind their own business, blame the US for the turmoil - does that mean we should shut and let it go?

I took a boo at website a couple of minutes ago.

NDP - bash Ignatieff and count - yup, their counting votes - childish or what.

Conservative - bashing Ignatieff

Liberals - statement about Iran.

Anonymous said...

Who on the Conservatives is bashing Mr.Ignatieff on the Liberals statement about Iran Sandi? Links please! Thank You!

RuralSandi said...

"website" - try reading everything.

I said I looked at the WEBSITES

Anonymous said...

"website" - try reading everything.

"I said I looked at the WEBSITES"

I said "links" Sandi "links." Do you know how many websites there are on the internet?

You have obviously seen those websites. So whats wrong linking to them or at least one of them hey?

Karen said...

The Conservative website and the NDP website versus the Liberal website, is what she is saying.

Karen said...

Cannon has made a comment

Here.

Anonymous said...

"The Conservative website and the NDP website versus the Liberal website, is what she is saying."

All I'm asking is link to "one" just "one" thats all.Is that too much to ask?

Omar said...

You're a rather needy Proud Canadian, ain't ya?

Karen said...

Yes, it's too much to ask. If you can't find this country's 3 major party websites on your own, there are bigger problems here.

Good grief

Anonymous said...

"Yes, it's too much to ask. If you can't find this country's 3 major party websites on your own, there are bigger problems here."

I looked around and didn't find anyone bashing Ignatieff
because of his statement on Iran period. Now I'm not going to go over this again.

Karen said...

Sigh, I don't know why I'm doing this, but I guess all the news from Iran has me being compassionate.

Sandi didn't say that the sites were attacking Ignatieff for his Iran comments.

She was pointing out how juvenile the other sites are, all on attack mode in general, whereas the Liberal site had Ignatieff's statement.

You know, the kind of thing that you would expect from a leading politician in this country.

Anonymous said...

"Sigh, I don't know why I'm doing this, but I guess all the news from Iran has me being compassionate.

Sandi didn't say that the sites were attacking Ignatieff for his Iran comments.

She was pointing out how juvenile the other sites are, all on attack mode in general, whereas the Liberal site had Ignatieff's statement.

You know, the kind of thing that you would expect from a leading politician in this country."

No she didn't say attacking Ignatieff for his Iran comments. She just said
"Conservative - bashing Ignatieff Liberals - statement about Iran."

Lets just forget this whole
conversation and agree to what is happening in Iran is just disgraceful and appalling alright.

Anonymous said...

So where is our government on this? Missing in action as far as I can tell.
Except that given the Conservative ALWAYS side with Israel in that region, you wonder what's happening...


Iggy can bloviate all he wants on Iran... he's only another powerless politician farting in the wind....

Asking our embassy to actively meddle in the internal affairs of another country shows what an assmonkey he is...

Karen said...

Wow, cwtf. Are you serious or not keeping up with event here?

Israel came out against...doesn't that give Harper, who for some strange reason you continure to defend, a reason to speak?

Meddling? Are you nuts? Every Western embassy opened their doors to the wounded. Not us though. Gee, I wonder what the staffing is?

Bad day? Because your comments make no sense, or at least don't relate to reality.

Anonymous said...

Iggy is done like dinner, he's nothing but a vacuous windsock, completely politically inept, bereft of any original thought, he's actually turned out to be worse than the hapless Dion.

When asked point blank by Peter Mansbridge "When you threaten to bring down the government if all of your demands are not met, is that not an ultimatum?" Part of Iggy's absolutely hopeless reply was, "I never used the word ultimatum."

That is truly pathetic, the damage has been done, Iggy meet bus, Dion's waiting underneath for you.

pepelazz said...

Bashing Ignatieff:

http://www.bluelikeyou.com/2009/04/15/doing-the-ignatieff-two-step/

http://www.rickdykstra.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1814&Itemid=51

http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/640310

etc, etc, etc...

Looks like bashing Ignatieff is the only major problem that has remained to be solved in Canada.
Cool.
Let's call it Democracy too...