Canada ambassador who protected Americans in Iran hostage crisis feels slighted by Argo

TORONTO (AP) - Canada's former ambassador to Iran, who protected Americans at great personal risk during the Iran hostage crisis of 1979, said Friday if Argo wins the Oscar for best picture there would be something wrong with director Ben Affleck if he didn't mention Canada.

Ken Taylor said he continues to feel slighted by a movie that he says makes Canada look like a meek observer to CIA heroics in the rescue of six US citizens caught in the crisis. Mr Taylor said if Mr Affleck doesn't say something in his acceptance speech "then it's a further reflection" on him.

Mr Taylor kept the Americans hidden at the embassy in Teheran and facilitated the escape. He became a hero in Canada and the United States after. Mr Affleck's CIA thriller Argo is widely expected to win the best-picture trophy on Sunday.

"I would hope he would," Mr Taylor said. "But given the events of the last while I'm not necessarily anticipating anything."