Canada’s Ex-PM Urges Young Trudeau to Reopen Embassy in Tehran

Chretien on Sunday advised Trudeau to remember Canada’s place in the world when dealing with international partners and called on him to normalize ties with Iran and pave the way for reopening of the country’s embassy in Tehran, CTV News reported.

Trudeau must “talk to everybody and offer a solution” when dealing with other international leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, he added.

Chretien, who was a member of Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s cabinet, said the younger Trudeau should take after his father’s approach to dealing with world leaders.

“Mr. (Pierre Elliott) Trudeau could talk to anybody because he kept his independence … The Americans did not like the fact that he was friendly with Fidel Castro,” said Chretien.

“Talk to everybody and try to offer a solution.”

Canada's Liberal leader Justin Trudeau rode a late surge to a stunning majority election victory on October 19, toppling Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives with a promise of change and returning a touch of glamor, youth and charisma to Ottawa.

Harper conceded defeat and the Conservative party announced his resignation, ending a nine-year run in power and the 56-year-old's brand of fiscal and cultural conservatism that voters appeared to sour on.

Harper has been widely criticized for his pro-Israel stances.

Harper’s administration severed diplomatic relations with Iran in September 2012, citing, among other pretexts, what it described as continued threats from Iran to Israel.

Back then, the Canadian government closed its embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and demanded that Iranian diplomats leave Canada within five days.

The two countries maintain interest sections in the embassies of third countries.