You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Europe
Iranian ambassador fails to show for French summons
2009-06-16
France said on Monday that it had summoned Irans ambassador in Paris to the Foreign Ministry on Monday but the envoy said he was "unavailable" and sent his First Counsellor in his place, according to official sources.

The French aides wanted "to express the disquiet of France on the subject of the ongoing events following the presidential election" in Iran. "We have noted the intensity of the debate around the campaign and the very high turn-out level, which marked the vitality of the democratic processes in Iran," the French statement affirmed.

At the same time, France "expressed to the First Counsellor our unease concerning the allegations of irregularities in the ballot in Iran and the desire that the demands for recourse are examined attentively".
Posted by:Seafarious

#5  The French could show some significant spine by PNG-ing the ambassador for refusing the summons. That would send a message.
Posted by: Steve White   2009-06-16 12:27  

#4  Of course Iranians have not always shown great respect for the ambassadorial niceties themselves (ask Jimmah Carter.)
Posted by: Glenmore   2009-06-16 07:05  

#3  Yes, Redneck Jim, ambassadors have diplomatic immunity.

That protects them from e.g. being tried or going to prison in the host country. But host countries can and sometimes do reject an ambassador sent to them and demand that they leave. Hence the tradition that when summoned, an ambassador meets with the host government.
Posted by: lotp   2009-06-16 05:46  

#2  Wasn't impressed by "soft power"---I wonder why?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2009-06-16 04:26  

#1  You're acting the fool, ambassadors have Diplomatic immunity.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2009-06-16 00:45  

00:00