Canada recalls ambassador to Iran

Canada on Wednesday recalled its ambassador to Iran after Iranian government rejected a request to allow Canadian observers to attend the trial on the slain of Canadian photo journalist Zahra Kazemi.

Canadian Foreign Minister Bill Graham said he was recalling Ottawa's ambassador to Tehran, Philip MacKinnon, and was summoning Iran's ambassador to Ottawa, S.M. Ali Mousavi, to make clear Canada's displeasure at Iran's decision to ban Canadian observers from the trial.

Graham called Iran's decision "unacceptable behaviour, saying Canada will take the matter to the International Court of Justice.

"Under all human rights codes, under all international law standards, this should be a public trial with the right of the family to be present to assure that justice is done, " Graham said.

Kazemi, 54, a photo journalist from Montreal, was detained lastyear after taking photos of Tehran's Evin prison. She died on July10 from head injuries while in custody.

An Iranian intelligence officer was charged and the trial is due to begin July 17, 2004.

Source:Xinhua