CHAMPAGNE MIGHT PREVENT KHATAMI ATTENDING BANQUETS IN MADRID
TEHRAN, 19 Oct. (IPS) As the Iranian President is preparing his forthcoming
official visit to Spain, the conservatives-controlled press raised the usual
question of wine being served at state banquets for Hojjatoleslam Mohammad
Khatami, saying that the issue might lead to the cancellation of the trip.
The embattled Iranian President is scheduled to pay an official visit to Madrid starting on 28 of October on the invitation of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, taking with him a sixty member strong economic and political delegation.
The conservative "Resalat" daily said the visit had been overshadowed by a dispute, which broke out when Iranian officials insisted that no alcoholic be served at the banquets, particularly the one offered by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia for the Iranian President.
"This is one of the conservative’s favoured national sport to raise the wine issue in order to overshadow Khatami’s visits to Western nations, where he is more popular than at home", one Iranian journalist observed.
Spanish protocol services rejected the Iranian demand that no alcoholic beverages be served at banquets, the paper quoted unidentified sources as saying.
Under the strict Islamic law practiced in Iran, drinking alcohol is forbidden for Muslims. But the Iranians insist that no one should drink alcohol during official lunches offered in the honour of Iranian guests.
"We still have not found a solution, the program has not been finalised ... but we are going to reach some kind of formula, which is currently being negotiated", a Spanish sources said.
He said that Muslim guests are served with non-alcoholic beverages while the hosts drinks champagne and wine.
Arab leaders also accept the formula of "each according to its traditions" and do not drink alcohol, without objecting to the Champagne being served at official tables.
"As no agreement has been reached with the Spanish authorities on respecting Islamic and national norms, the Iranian side has said that Khatami will not attend the Spanish king's banquet", Resalat added.
The conditions, described by a Spanish source as "very impolite and contrary to the laws of hospitability" has caused a flurry of diplomatic activity and an advanced team, led by Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Ali Abtahi, the President’s Adviser for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, is due to arrive in Madrid diffusing the wine tangle.
The presence of women with bare hairs in both banquets and other functions is another problem the Spanish protocol faces, as the Iranian side wants all women wear at least a scarf at parties attended by Mr. Khatami, who is a junior cleric.
A Spanish source told Iran Press Service that in this case; at least Queen Sophia and Mrs. Anzar would refuse to attend receptions.
Mrs. Anzar had refused to accompany he husband when he visited Tehran last year, refusing to submit to Iranian’s conditions forcing all women to cover their hairs.
"The same I would not insist that Mrs. Khatami show up in public without her Islamic dress, I expect her – and the Iranians – to respect my freedom", Mrs. Anzar was quoted as having told a Spanish paper. ENDS KHATAMI MADRID VISIT 191002