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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">November 23, 2004 <i>(9:30 a.m. EST)</i> No. 133</span></span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">CANADA APPOINTS AMBASSADOR TO IRAN</span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced that Gordon Venner will
assume his duties as Canada’s new Ambassador to Iran.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">In July 2004, Canada withdrew its then-ambassador, Philip MacKinnon, for
consultations after failures in the Iranian justice system with respect to the case of
Zahra Kazemi.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Canada remains deeply committed to this case. Mr. Venner will make further
representations to the appropriate Iranian authorities on Canada’s behalf. He will also
continue to work closely with the Kazemi family and their legal representatives in order
to pursue as far as possible those avenues of redress provided by the Iranian judicial
system. “Justice denied is offensive to Canadians. This case will be pursued
energetically,” said Minister Pettigrew.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“It is important to resume our full diplomatic presence in Iran at this juncture,” added the
Minister. “Our Ambassador will be responsible for representing Canada’s views on
Iran’s nuclear program at a time when Canada chairs the Board of Governors of the
International Atomic Energy Agency. In addition, he will advocate strongly for Canada’s
position on the human rights situation in Iran. In particular, he will explain our views with
respect to the resolution we tabled at the United Nations General Assembly on
November 2, 2004.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“These are issues of consequence to Canadians. To make an effective case in Iran, we
require sufficiently senior representation,” the Minister concluded.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Mr. Venner will be replacing Mr. MacKinnon, who assumed the position of Canadian
Ambassador to Egypt in September 2004.</span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">A biographical note on the appointee is attached.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123093123/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE</span></span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-weight: bold">Gordon Venner</span> (BA, University of Western Ontario, 1979; MSc, London School of
Economics, 1982) joined the Department of External Affairs and International Trade in
1989 and served abroad at the Canadian Mission to the European Union in Brussels. In
Ottawa, he served in the European Community Division, which later became the
European Union Division. Since 2000, he has been Director, International Economic
Relations and Summits Division. Mr. Venner is married to Marilyn Venner and has a
son. Mr. Venner succeeds Philip MacKinnon.</span></span></span></p>
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