World

MacKay says Iran Giving Weapons to Taliban

by Rob Walker | December 26, 2007 at 07:34 am

496 views | 10 Recommendations | 1 comment

While they might be under heavy scrutiny regarding their nuclear programs, Canadian defence minister Peter Mackay accused Iran of supplying weapons and IED's to the Taliban in Afghanistan.

While it has long been thought that Iran was stoking the fires, this is the first time a Canadian official has come out and said so.

Canada's defence minister has accused Iran of providing weapons to the Taliban and fuelling the conflict in Afghanistan, where thousands of Canadian troops are involved in military operations.

Peter MacKay made the comments at Kandahar Airfield, where he is spending Christmas Day serving a Yuletide meal to hundreds of soldiers.

Speaking to reporters after the festivities, MacKay accused
Afghanistan's neighbour, Iran, of propelling the conflict by providing
improvised explosive devices (IEDs), or roadside bombs, to insurgents
there.

"We're very concerned that weapons are coming in from Iran. We're
very concerned that these weapons are going to the insurgents."

Although Iran has been accused of interfering in Afghanistan in the
past, MacKay's comments mark the first time a Canadian government
official has made the accusation publicly. MacKay said the Iranian
government is aware of his concerns.