The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today issued the following statement regarding the February 22, 2007, report of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which makes clear that Iran has made no effort to abide by United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737:

"Canada is deeply disappointed that Iran has refused to meet the international obligations required of it under Security Council Resolution 1737 by the prescribed deadline of February 21, 2007. Such acts of defiance further call into question Iran's professed willingness to enter into meaningful negotiations on a long-term comprehensive settlement that balances Iran's rights and obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."

"Canada still believes that the package of incentives offered to Iran in June 2006 by China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States offers an excellent basis for a negotiated settlement. We have maintained close contact with and made our views known to each of these countries both bilaterally and through the G8."

"Canada once again strongly urges Iran immediately to suspend all of its enrichment, reprocessing and heavy water-related activities and to extend full cooperation to the IAEA. We also urge all UN member states to implement fully and expeditiously the measures contained in Resolution 1737."