IRAN'S REJECTION OF NEW BRITISH AMBASSADOR

EDM number 858 in 2001-02, proposed by Louise Ellman on 14/02/2002.

That this House is appalled at the rejection of Her Majesty's Government chosen Ambassador to Iran; notes that the refusal was made on the basis that Mr Reddaway is a Jewish agent for M16; is astounded that Iran has used the fact that someone may be Jewish to preclude them from serving Britain in Iran; appreciates that Mr Reddaway while not Jewish is uniquely qualified to serve Britain in Iran as a Farsi speaker and an accomplished diplomat in Iran for many years; further notes that Mr Reddaway received an MBE for saving the lives of many British residents by leading them to safety during the Iranian revolution; is aware that Iran is the main funder and provider of explosives and weapons to terrorist organisations such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad who are totally opposed to a peaceful solution of the Middle East conflict; recognises that there is a struggle between hard-liners and reformers in Iran but on support for terrorism in the Middle East there is no difference of opinion; recalls that Iran maintains a dreadful human rights record with its oppression of the Bhais and show trials of Jews then imprisoned on trumped up charges and that Iran has intensified its efforts to obtain an offensive nuclear capability as well as long range missiles to deliver them which would mean Iran becoming a threat to international peace and security; and urges Her Majesty's Government to rethink its policy towards Iran.

This motion has been signed by a total of 27 MPs.