Perish The Thought

"We strongly dismiss baseless allegations by (some) media that (the) Iranian Embassy has been recruiting ethnic Iranians in Canada to be of service to Iran", charge d'affaires Kambiz Sheikh-Hassani.  "(The) embassy's main goals in the current difficult conditions are to properly manage the existing relations and provide the highest possible quality and timely service to the respected Iranian community living in Canada."

Somehow that pledge seems to ring hollow in the ears of Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.  Who had his own statement on the subject at hand, despite the charges by the Islamic Republic of Iran's diplomat that they are doing everything by the book of permissible diplomacy.  The record seems to speak otherwise for the activities of the Iranian diplomats permitted to stay in Ottawa.

"Iranian-Canadians have rejected the oppressive Iranian regime and have chosen to come to Canada to build better lives.  The Iranian Embassy should not interfere in their choices.  Canadian security organizations will act to prevent threats and intimidation of Canadians."

The Farsi-language interview by Hamid Mohammadi, cultural affairs counsellor with the Iranian embassy in Ottawa to an Iran-based website aimed directly toward expatriate Iranians living in Canada told a story of its own, unreflective of the claims of Sheikh-Hassani.  In that interview, Iranian-Canadians were urged to "occupy high-level key positions" within the Government of Canada.

The better to serve Iran, since, as he put it, if young Iranian Canadians resisted the expectation that they would meld into Canadian society and instead retain their allegiance to their mother country, "working in influential government positions", they would be in a position to be of real use.  As a rising demographic, anticipating a robust birthrate, they are expected to increase.  

"So, therefore, we need to put into effect very concentrated cultural programs in order to enhance and nurture the culture in this fast-growing population.  It is obvious that this large Iranian population can only be of service to our beloved Iran through these programs and gatherings."  

It is obvious that the Islamic Republic of Iran is counting on stealthy infiltration through an influx of immigrants and natural increase by births to give them the opportunity to exert influence where they should have none.  The interview, interpreted by Iranian-Canadians who defy the regime, has given a heads-up to Canadian security.

Sparking fears of espionage, terrorist recruitment, even a potential plan for attack on the U.S.  The Americans are alert to the situation and they have picked up the thread of possible attacks from across their northern border.  According to former CSIS intelligence operative David Harris, now director of the international and terrorist intelligence program at Insignis Strategic Research Inc.:

"I think we're at grave risk of being considered a problem state rather than a serious ally to those countries to which we have been closest."

While Kambiz Sheikh-Hassan forcefully states dismissal of "baseless allegations", Iranian immigrants who abhor the actions, purpose and activities of the Republic claim an "education advisory" section of Iran's embassy has sponsored a planned three-day Iranian Students convention for Cornwall, Ontario.  Maclean's magazine implicated an Iranian cultural centre in Toronto as founded by an Iranian diplomat and funded by the embassy.

"When you become a Canadian citizen, virtually no one can touch you, and so these people can easily get to the United States", explained Shabnam Assadollahi, an Iranian-Canadian activist.  "The only solution is to close the Iranian embassy in Ottawa."