Official document confirms Canadian authorities’ concerns The government of St. Kitts-Nevis was aware of and kept quiet about an incident where Canadian authorities raised concerns when an Iranian entered their country on an SKN diplomatic passport. The Observer obtained what purports to be a Cabinet submission issued by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon. Patrice Nisbett dated July 11, 2013 which speaks to the passport incident in Canada and the subsequent fallout. The Cabinet document stated that the Ministry of Homeland Security had been requested to respond to a number of “queries, concerns” raised by Paul Jamieson, a liaison officer with Canada Border Services Agency posted at the Canada High Commission in Trinidad. Jamieson advised that his office is responsible for processing all immigration applications for citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis; while citizens enjoy visa-free travel to Canada they do however require work and study permits. According to the document Jamieson raised concerns about “several passports issued by St. Kitts and Nevis”. The Ministry responded to the queries raised only to receive a subsequent email focusing on the Economic Citizenship By Investment program, primarily entry into Canada by one Mr. Alizera Moghadam, an Iranian citizen, using a St. Kitts and Nevis diplomatic passport. “Apparently on entering Canada Mr. Moghadam advised the border officer that he was on diplomatic status for the visit and the trip was for official diplomatic matters. “He also advised the border officer that he was to meet with the Prime Minister of Canada. When asked to provide additional details or supporting documentation he was either unable or unwilling to do so.” The document stated that the Canadian Embassy was unable to confirm any such meeting and because Moghadam had been extended “normal diplomatic courtesy” upon entry, he was asked to confirm that he was indeed on official state business for the government of St. Kitts-Nevis. The Canadian Embassy also requested that the government “clarify Mr. Moghadam’s position with the government of St. Kitts and Nevis”. The document went on to say that Jamieson raised several concerns with the Federation’s Citizenship By Investment program, including the continued participation of Iranian nationals; perceived inadequacy of the due diligence resulting in persons acquiring and using SKN passports to enter Canada despite being denied visas by that country; attempts by some SKN passport holders, primarily those who acquired them through the CBI program, to file for refugee status once they had entered Canada; and concern that at least one individual who by virtue of his/her involvement in fraudulent activities was granted citizenship under the investment program in contravention of St. Kitts and Nevis’ very own regulations. Nisbett confirmed that a June visit by Canadian authorities had in fact been prompted by these and Moghadam’s entry into Canada. He said the issues were discussed at a June 4, 2013 meeting between two officers from the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Permanent Secretary of Homeland Security, and Jamieson during the visit to St. Kitts. According to Nisbett’s submission, “It was evident that Mr. Moghadam’s entry to Canada may have served as a catalyst and may be the precursor to further actions by the Canadian Authorities.” The submission pointed out that the Ministry of Homeland Security had requested a number of actions be taken to mollify the situation with the Canadian authorities but had received no response from Cabinet as at the date of the submission. Jamieson had requested and received copies of the legislation and regulations governing the issuance of passports, Nisbett affirmed. The submission also noted the minister’s concern that the Moghadam St. Kitts-Nevis diplomatic passport matter “had possible implications for the continuation of visa-free status which the Federation enjoys with Canada”. There was no mention of how Moghadam came to be in possession of the diplomatic passport, or what the government’s response was to the Canadians’ request for clarification on Moghadam’s position with the government. It is not known what transpired between Moghadam and the Canadian authorities subsequent to his questioning at the entry point. Without the SKN diplomatic passport, if Moghadam, as an Iranian citizen, did not possess a visa he could not have gained entry to Canada. In September 2012 Canada suspended diplomatic ties with Iran and expelled Iranian diplomats. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird described Iran as being “among the world’s worst violators of human rights” and accused the Middle Eastern country of “supporting terrorist groups”. While Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas advised the public on July 29 that the government would no longer allow Iranians and Afghanis to participate in the Federation’s Citizenship By Investment Program, he said the action was taken as part of the government’s review of the program. PM Douglas has not made any public pronouncements regarding Moghadam, his St. Kitts-Nevis diplomatic passport nor the Canadian authorities’ response to the incident. Calls placed to Minister Nisbett’s cellphone went straight to voicemail and electronic messages appeared not to have been relayed up until press time.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 01:29:44 +0000
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