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Malaysia's Secret IAEA Vote On Iran


Some capitals appear to have noted the Iranian parliament's threat to "review relations" with countries who voted "against" Iran at the IAEA, where Tehran was censured recently over its covert nuclear activities.

But I'm not so sure this is how Iran's bullying lawmakers intended it.

Says Reuters:

Malaysia said on Sunday it recalled its envoy to the United Nations in Vienna for "consultations" after he voted against a resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency rebuking Iran.

"The voting (of the envoy) was not in accordance with the procedures of the government and therefore the minister of foreign affairs has instructed the permanent representative of Malaysia to the United Nations in Vienna to return to Malaysia for consultations," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

No more details were available. But the Malaysian representative clearly had a lot on his mind:
The envoy, Mohd Arshad Manzoor Hussain, holds the rotating chair of the 35-member IAEA's Board of Governors.

Malaysia last week was one of three countries with Cuba and Venezuela that voted against the resolution to rebuke Iran for building a second enrichment plant in secret.

Somehow I don't expect Cuba or Venezuela -- which has been known to inadvertently ruffle Iranian feathers despite Chavez's passionate affection for President Mahmud Ahmadinejad -- to display any such remorse.

-- Andy Heil

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Written by RFE/RL editors and correspondents, Transmission serves up news, comment, and the odd silly dictator story. While our primary concern is with foreign policy, Transmission is also a place for the ideas -- some serious, some irreverent -- that bubble up from our bureaus. The name recognizes RFE/RL's role as a surrogate broadcaster to places without free media. You can write us at transmission+rferl.org

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