Posted on 09/23/2009 2:53:21 AM PDT by Clive
UNITED NATIONS -- Canada will boycott Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech at the United Nations on Wednesday, saying his outbursts about the Holocaust and Israel are "shameful."
Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon will be at the world body to attend the opening of the UN General Assembly's annual debate, but officials signal he and other members of the Canadian delegation will vacate the Canadian seats when the Islamic republic's President approaches the podium.
Walking out of the chamber is seen as a strong diplomatic show of disgust at the UN -- and since the chamber is generally packed on the first day of the annual summit, Canada's empty seats will not go unnoticed.
One of the first speakers of the day will be U.S. President Barack Obama, who is making his debut address before the assembly.
"President Ahmadinejad's repeated denial of the Holocaust and his anti-Israel comments run counter to the values of the UN General Assembly, and they're shameful," said one Canadian official.
"He uses his public appearances to provoke the international community, and that is why Canada's seats will be empty."
The gesture is a step stronger than one announced on Tuesday by the German foreign ministry, which asked other European Union member states to walk out of the General Assembly chamber if Mr. Ahmadinejad again denies the Holocaust, or makes anti-Semitic statements.
The Canadian initiative will be welcomed by Israel, which on Tueday urged all delegates in the 192-member chamber to stay away when Mr. Ahmadinejad speaks.
"A few days ago he gave a new speech of hate," Gabriela Shalev, Israeli ambassador to the UN, told Israeli army radio. "The simple fact of leaving the room during his speech, or not to be present during it, is a symbolic act."
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(Excerpt) Read more at nationalpost.com ...
I think someone should start a signing campaign that uses Michelle Obama’s word with a slight twist. Sign here if “For the first time you are [not] proud of your country.”
Canadians have been loyal allies even when the likes of people like Ann Coulter criticize us. When 9-11 happened,Canadians opened their hearts and homes to those who were stranded.....just do a little research and see the comments of those who were stranded and taken in.....many have become life long friends but we seem to be SO quickly criticized by our american friends. My very best friends are from Boston and they couldn’t believe Bush didn’t even acknowledge Canada in his address to the world and after this attack.
When Katrina devastated New Orleans, we were some of the very first rescuers.........And when you speak poorly of Jean Chretien, when it came to Iraq he said show us the weapons of mass destruction and we will support you......your government couldn’t show it and it was one of the smartest moves he ever made.
Respectfully, you canadian neighbour
SUCK ON THAT OBAMA YOU PIECE OF S***!
Reverand Wright, you need to put down the crack pipe.
Good for Canada!!!! Our Dear Leader, on the other hand, just threw We The People under the bus.
I am Canadian as well, by the way...
But I refuse to pretend a false history about Canada as a great ally of the US when it isn’t true.
The Iranian hostage caper and putting up stranded air travellers on 911 does not make up for the Berlin Airlift, Cuban Missle Crisis, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Gulf War, Iraq invasion... and all the rest.
And surprise, surprise, we are bailing out of Afghanistan when the going gets tough.
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