Baird ‘deeply skeptical’ of Iran’s intent
Country to put nuclear program on hold in exchange for ease on economic sanctions
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Sunday he was “deeply skeptical” of Iran’s intentions and its ability to comply with the terms of the agreement after it reached a historic deal with six world powers.
The agreement will see Iran put its nuclear program on hold for six months in exchange for decreased economic sanctions. It was reached after months of secret negotiations and more than four days of talks with the P5+1 nations — United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia.
Proponents have hailed the interim agreement as a possible turning point in western relations with the Iranian regime.
However, Canadian sanctions will remain firmly in place until Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions, Baird said, and Canada has no intention of rekindling the diplomatic relations it suspended last year.
“Simply put, Iran has not earned the right to have the benefit of the doubt,” he told reporters.
“We think past actions best predict future actions and Iran has defied the United Nations Security Council and has defied the International Atomic Energy Agency in regard to its nuclear program.”
Baird’s words drew criticism from experts, who say Canada’s “hawkish” reaction to Iran’s deal is out of step with the international community.
University of Waterloo political science professor Dr. Bessma Momani and former Canadian ambassador to Iran, John Mundy, said Sunday that Canada’s hard-line stance on Iran shows we are lagging behind our allies.
“We really stand outside the consensus of the G7 on this issue,” said Momani, also a professor at the Balsillie School of International Affairs.
Meanwhile Mundy, Canada’s last ambassador in Iran who was expelled from the country in 2007, said the agreement is a “defeat” for Canada’s foreign policy, which favours sanctions over negotiation.
Under the deal, Iran has agreed to grant daily access to nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Momani said, which will ensure it does not produce weapon-grade enriched uranium. Iran claims its nuclear ambitions are for its national energy program while western nations fear it is planning to build a nuclear bomb.
Momani said Iran’s economy has been so damaged by international sanctions that it will be motivated to comply with the deal and earn the trust of the West.
Iran should not be given a blank cheque, Momani said, but she questioned why Canada should be more skeptical than the U.S. and Britain — countries whose relations with Iran have been much more historically fraught.
“The Canadians have been probably the most hawkish of all the G7 and western countries,” she said. “We’re in line with the most conservative elements of the U.S. Congress.”
Economic sanctions have been crucial in bringing Iran to this point, but compromise and negotiation are the way forward, Momani said. “The agreement is about trust, but verify.” It is unrealistic to expect Iran to give up its entire nuclear program, she added.
Mundy said he had hoped the agreement would encourage Canada to re-engage in diplomatic relations.
Canada has in principle supported the two-track policy on Iran, a combination of economic pressure and engagement through negotiation adopted by the United States and other western countries. But in practice it falls short.
“By our actions you would have to conclude that we don’t (support it) because we suspended relations with Iran,” he said. “That is an inherent contradiction in our foreign policy.” Canada is also failing its own citizens with its unwavering stance, Mundy continued. Iranian- Canadians are at a disadvantage without official offices in Iran, he said, while Canadians in Iran, some of whom are incarcerated, are without support.
Canada suspended all diplomatic ties in Iran in September 2012, closing its embassy in Tehran and expelling all Iranian diplomats in Ottawa.
Mundy said the interim agreement is proof that keeping communication channels open is invaluable in international relations.
“I would say this is a defeat for Canadian foreign policy toward Iran.”