Statement By The Prime Minister Of Canada

June 22, 2010

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today announcing that Canada is now fully implementing its obligations under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929, which imposes further sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran:
 
“The Iranian regime continues to violate its international obligations by ignoring successive UNSC resolutions to suspend its enrichment-related activities and refusing to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
 
“Our Government therefore welcomed UNSC Resolution 1929 on June 9, 2010.  Today, we have fulfilled our obligations by establishing the necessary regulations to implement the decisions in UNSC Resolution 1929, and have amended our existing regulations to include these latest sanctions.  These include measures that further limit Iran’s access to uranium, nuclear materials and technology both directly and through third parties, such as key members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
 
“These sanctions are designed to restrict Iran’s nuclear program and are in no way intended to punish the Iranian people.
 
“Instead, these targeted measures are meant to send a strong signal to Iran that the international community expects Iran to meet its international nuclear obligations.  They send a message to all states — particularly those with nuclear aspirations — that international standards cannot be flouted without consequences.
 
“Canada strongly urges Iran to agree to a constructive dialogue with China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States in order to reach a diplomatic solution as soon as possible.
 
“Canada will continue to use its G-8 Presidency to maintain international focus on Iran’s nuclear program, and we stand ready to implement additional sanctions, as necessary, to promote regional and international peace and security.”