Why France demanded to serve wine at meal with Iran's leader
Iranian President Hassan Rohani聽requested a halal menu, which customarily means no alcohol. But France was unwilling to break with the tradition of serving French wine at official state lunches and dinners.
Iranian President Hassan Rohani聽requested a halal menu, which customarily means no alcohol. But France was unwilling to break with the tradition of serving French wine at official state lunches and dinners.
This week Iranian President Hassan Rohani will become the first leader of the Islamic Republic to travel to Europe in a decade. And while he isn鈥檛 scheduled to arrive in France until Monday, his visit has already sparked outrage across the country.
The uproar has nothing to do with Iran鈥檚 nuclear program or potential business deals. Instead it was set off by Mr. Rohani鈥檚 refusal to dine at the presidential palace in Paris if wine is served at the meal.
France鈥檚 RTL radio reported on Monday that Iran requested a halal menu, which customarily means no alcohol. Yet France was unwilling to break with the tradition of serving French wine at official state lunches and dinners.
The Washington Post reported that Iran鈥檚 request 鈥� based on Islamic law 鈥� 鈥渁mounted to culinary sacrilege in France, a nation that puts the secular ideals of the Republic above all else.鈥�
The Post notes that the stir over fermented grapes plays into French domestic identity politics:
Rohani and French President Francois Hollande have reportedly settled instead for a face-to-face chat next Tuesday after the Iranians refused to agree to an alcohol-free breakfast. RTL reported that they promptly rejected the counter offer because it appeared too 鈥渃heap.鈥�
France 24 reports that the controversy has threatened to overshadow Rohani鈥檚 landmark visit. And advisors to Mr. Hollande have not hidden their frustration over the fuss, which they called 鈥渞idiculous,鈥� according to the French daily Le Monde.
Le Monde reported on Monday that French officials are due to travel to Iran this week to finalize the details of the trip. 聽Business leaders hope the brouhaha over wine won't set the wrong tone for pending trade deals.聽
Rohani鈥檚 visit comes four months after Iran聽and leading world powers, including France, reached an agreement aimed at limiting聽Iran's聽nuclear program in exchange for relief from international sanctions. The nuclear deal and the Syrian conflict are among the most pressing issues that he is expected to discuss with Hollande.
The two countries are also expected to sign several major political and business agreements next week. Analysts says Paris may initially secure deals in areas that were not specifically hit by sanctions imposed by the European Union and United States, most notably in agriculture and livestock, where聽France聽has relatively little activity in聽Iran.
"We are preparing certain agreements and memorandums of cooperation in industry in general, automobile, the energy sector which is important ... in the air and rail transport sectors,鈥� Iran's ambassador to聽France聽Ali Ahani told RFI radio. 鈥淭here are a lot of contacts in the automobile sector and things are progressing. I'm optimistic in different fields."
This report includes material for the Associated Press and Reuters.