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London: Canada’s foreign minister on Thursday vowed to push Iran for answers about the mistaken downing of a passenger plane amid high tensions after the US killed one of Tehran’s top commanders.
“In the wake of such a horrific tragedy there are many questions,” Francois-Philippe Champagne said at a meeting in London. “Families want answers, the international community wants answers, the world is waiting for answers and we will not rest until we get them.” Champagne was speaking after talks with counterparts from countries whose nationals were among those killed when the plane was hit after taking off from Tehran last week.
Fifty-seven of the victims on board the Kiev-bound Ukraine International Airlines flight were Canadian.
Iran’s initial denial of claims, based on US intelligence, that the Boeing 737 was hit by a missile sparked days of protests and international calls for a full and transparent investigation.
But the Islamic republic later accepted the jet had been targeted “unintentionally”. President Hassan Rouhani called it an “unforgivable mistake”.
In a joint statement after Thursday’s talks, Canada, Ukraine, Sweden, Afghanistan and Britain issued a five-point plan for cooperation with Iran. It called for “full and unhindered access” for foreign officials to and within Iran and “a thorough, independent and transparent international investigation”. (AFP)
“In the wake of such a horrific tragedy there are many questions,” Francois-Philippe Champagne said at a meeting in London. “Families want answers, the international community wants answers, the world is waiting for answers and we will not rest until we get them.” Champagne was speaking after talks with counterparts from countries whose nationals were among those killed when the plane was hit after taking off from Tehran last week.
Fifty-seven of the victims on board the Kiev-bound Ukraine International Airlines flight were Canadian.
Iran’s initial denial of claims, based on US intelligence, that the Boeing 737 was hit by a missile sparked days of protests and international calls for a full and transparent investigation.
But the Islamic republic later accepted the jet had been targeted “unintentionally”. President Hassan Rouhani called it an “unforgivable mistake”.
In a joint statement after Thursday’s talks, Canada, Ukraine, Sweden, Afghanistan and Britain issued a five-point plan for cooperation with Iran. It called for “full and unhindered access” for foreign officials to and within Iran and “a thorough, independent and transparent international investigation”. (AFP)
