January 3, 2002	Thursday	Shawwal 18, 1422

TORONTO, Jan 2: Canada, in a rare move, sent a diplomatic note to protest the treatment of a Canadian citizen detained in the United States since Sept 20 without any charges being pressed and who was refused consular contact, an official said Wednesday.

Shakir Ali Baloch, 39, a Pakistan-born Canadian citizen, is being held in Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City.

Baloch “had requested to be put in touch with consular officials and this was denied”, said Reynald Doiron, a spokesman for Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Baloch, who now has a lawyer, was visited by Canadian consular authorities on Dec 20, four days after the diplomatic note was sent.

“The diplomatic note was to protest about the lack of notification and the refusal of the authorities in New York City to grant consular access ... and to tell us exactly what Mr. Baloch’s status is. Are charges going to be pressed, or is he going to be released?” Doiron added.

He said he expects a response from US authorities by the end of next week.

The United States’ refusal to grant consular access violates the country’s obligations under the Vienna Convention on consular relations, the spokesman said, adding Canada is not aware of any other Canadian being detained in the United States.

Ottawa was first alerted by Baloch’s family to check into his whereabouts on Nov 20. Shortly thereafter, Canadian consular officials inquired with New York City authorities, who told them no one by that name was being held, Doiron said.

“In the present conditions, we understand what kind of concerns and precautions the American authorities have got to take, but on the other end it does not mean that any individual rights have to be set aside,” he added.—AFP