Canada's Harper backs US nuclear standoff with Iran

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2006

OTTAWA (AFP) — Canada's prime minister backed US-led efforts to halt Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program, but hopes for a peaceful resolution and refuted claims the feud is fueling higher oil prices.

"I think that our allies have a very serious concern when you see a regime like Iran with the kind of values it stands for, the kind of human rights abuses we've seen there," Prime Minister Stephen Harper told reporters.

"I think our allies have a completely legitimate case in being concerned about a regime like that gaining access to nuclear weapons."

Harper said he had discussed Iran's nuclear ambitions with US President George W. Bush at a summit in Mexico last month and Foreign Minister Peter MacKay talked about it again with US Secretary of State...