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The state-run radio and television in Iran announced today that the clerical regime's president, Mohammad Khatami, would not pay a scheduled visit to France "because Islamic and national etiquette and customs are not to be observed."
National Council of Resistance President Massoud Rajavi said that Khatami canceled his visit essentially out of fear of protests and demonstrations organized by the Iranian Resistance and a repetition of the dismal failure of his trip to Italy. He called this a victory for the Iranian people in the face of the mullahs' hated regime.
Mr. Rajavi welcomed the fact that the French government did not yield to Khatami's blackmail and his efforts to dictate his terms, which he demagogically portrayed as "Islamic and national etiquette and customs."
The NCR President recalled that since
last June, Khatami's maneuvers have been defeated by Iranians outside Iran
on three important occasions: the huge anti-Khatami rally by Iranians in
Iran vs. U.S. football match in Lyon in World Cup 98, the 10,000-strong
demonstration against Khatami's presence at the UN General Assembly in
New York last September, and the ubiquitous rallies and protests by thousands
of Iranians in Italy earlier this month. Now, after three great defeats,
Khatami has finally thrown in the towel.
Despite Cancellation of Khatami's Visit, Resistance Supporters Will Continue Their Protest in Paris, Voice of America, March 29
PARIS - Iran on Monday postponed a planned trip to France by president Mohammad Khatami, saying France was not willing to respect Islamic customs during his stay.
Although there has been no official French explanation for Iran's decision, diplomats in Paris say the reason for the Khatami's postponement is that France insists on serving wine during official banquets.
One official said the French argued that when their delegations visit Tehran, they observe Iranian and Islamic tradition with, for example, French women wearing headscarves so as not to offend the Iranians. In return, the French official added, France expects to be able to observe its own traditions -- including serving wine at meals -- on its own soil…
The announcement was made as members of the dissident National Council of Resistance staged a demonstration in Paris against the visit.
One council member, Elaheh Azimfar, says western views that President Khatami is a moderate are misguided.
Azimfar: Nothing has changed in Iran, the situation is still the same. Khatami belongs to the same regime. He is a mullah like the others. He is not a new face for the Iranians and, under Khatami, 340-people have been executed and nine people have been stoned to death.
The Iranian dissidents in Paris say
they believe the Tehran leadership fear an outbreak of protests during
Mr. Khatami's visit, when and if it takes place. For that reason, they
said they plan to continue their demonstrations to persuade France to cancel
the visit entirely.
Fear of Protests Could Be a Reason for Visit Cancellation: Officials, Associated Press, March 29
PARIS - Wine has always been serious business in France, and now it appears to be at the center of a serious diplomatic flap.
The Iranian government insists that women of host countries be dressed modestly during visits by Iranian officials and that no alcohol be served.
Officials point out there may be other reasons for Iran to consider postponing the trip, chief among them the fear of protests.
Iranian opposition groups already had
announced plans for demonstrations against Khatami, despite the lack of
an official date for the visit.
"Khatami Feared Eggs More Than Wine", Reuters, March 29
PARIS - Mohammad Khatami has scrapped plans for an April visit to Paris because France would have served wine at a state banquet, French diplomatic sources said.
French diplomatic sources said senior Iranian officials had been served fruit juice on previous visits to France but had not objected to wine being on the table.
A spokesman for exiled National Council of Resistance of Iran claimed the postponement was a success for its plans to stage week-long protests in Paris during Khatami's trip.
"Khatami feared eggs more than wine," spokesman Alireza Jafarzadeh said. Iranian exiles threw paint at Khatami's motorcade during his visit to Rome. Senior Iranian officials have criticized Italy for allowing the protests to take place.