IRANIAN PROTESTERS BURN FRENCH FLAG

TEHRAN, August 16, 2005 (AFP) - A group of some 30 Islamist protesters Tuesday burnt the French flag outside France's embassy in Tehran in protest at its stand on Iran's controversial nuclear programme.

"England, France, two Satans, two Lucifers," chanted the demonstrators, as security agents tried in vain to stop the flag burning.

And France, Número Dos Satan! Lucifer Secundus! Second bench, the cruelest blow. All of France burns with this question, Pourquoi nous détestent-ils ?

"Death to France, death to England, death to Germany," they cried.

In a statement addressed to French President Jacques Chirac, the protesters condemned what they called the West's "double standards" when it came to dealing with the Muslim world.

We have reported elsewhere (here, here, here, here, and here) on the hapless EU3 negotiations with cunning Iran. Well, one cannot both trick and insult the EU3 without a punishing forfeit. Know this, Iran, the EU3 mean business of the most serious sort. You will see.

EU STARTS TO GET TOUGH WITH IRAN

PARIS, August 23, 2005 (AFP) - France, Britain and Germany have called off a planned meeting with Iran on August 31 because of Tehran's decision to resume sensitive nuclear activities, the French foreign ministry said Tuesday.

A spokesman, Jean-Baptiste Mattei, said Iran's decision to resume uranium conversion work had broken the terms of an agreement signed in Paris in November 2004 [and the EU3] jointly decided to abandon [the August 31 meeting] because of the breach.

Ah-ha. You see. You mess with the EU and no more teacakes and chat.

But he added: "This does not mean that there will not be any contacts with the Iranians."

EUROPEANS STILL WANT IRAN NUCLEAR TALKS - FRANCE

PARIS August 23, 2005 (Reuters) - European powers are still keen to talk to Iran about its sensitive nuclear program despite calling off a meeting scheduled for Aug 31., French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on Wednesday.

"We are suspending the negotiations," he told France Inter radio. "But at the same time, we think it is still possible to talk to them ... There is no reason to close the door on Iran." ... "Until the last minute, we hope to be able to talk to them," Douste-Blazy said. "If they don't want to, if they decide to take nuclear (steps) for military reasons, we will know on September 3 because Mr ElBaradei ... will give us his report."

Yeah. OK. But no doilies or serviettes. Absolutely not. Not till the uranium enrichment ceases. Yes, there you go, struggle with that monstrous slice of teacake without a napkin. Ha. That stain on your bespoke labbaadeh will never come out! You better come round before M. Douste-Blazy "accidently" fumbles that buttered scone into your lap.

Ah, but the Iranians take exception to any compromise in tea party amenities. (Hat tip: Carine)

IRAN’S ULTRA-ISLAMISTS BURN FRENCH FLAGS OUTSIDE EMBASSY

TEHRAN, Iran August 23, 2005 (Reuters) – Several hundred radical Islamists from the para-military Bassij force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards set fire to French flags [!] outside the embassy of France in Tehran on Tuesday, amid chants of “Death to France” [!!].

Now when Iran-funded Hezbollah kill Jewish moms and children or Iran-applauded Ba'athists blow up Iraqis they are described variously as Muslims, mujahids, militants, gunmen, rebels, insurgents, guerillas, or some such. Please note that when Iranians burn a French flag they become pumped up crazies -- ULTRA-ISLAMISTS and radicals.

“Shut down the French embassy” [!!!], shouted the Islamist radicals. This is the first time in recent years that an organisation affiliated to a state agency holds a protest demonstration outside the French embassy and burns French flags. Iran’s clerical leaders have been praising the French government’s positions on the Middle East in recent years.

Demonstrators laid down a pair of French flags across the street so as to be soiled by passing vehicles and pedestrians [!!!!].

M. Douste-Blazy was reported in tears. "Pourquoi nous détestent-ils tant ?", his plaintive query muffled by a big pink pillow otherwise used for sleepovers at the Quai d'Orsay. We can't imagine, M. le Ministre. Perhaps if France were to give them a bomb outright, Mr. Hamid-Reza Asefi might then play nice. Or at least answer questions at his press conferences.

PFFT (What is this?): Entente cordiale 0 | Making a difference among the Islamites 4 | Rayonnement français 0

An other success fur the invasion of Irak! An other success for US and UK's troops!

Was it the reason they have been in Irak?

I thgought it was ta liberate them, not to scared an entire coutry! Well done, great job, Bush and Blair! NOTHING WORH IN IRAK!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1559735,00.html

'600 dead' in Baghdad stampede

Up to 600 people were reported to have been killed and more than 250 injured in a stampede in Baghdad today.
Police said that the stampede occurred on a bridge over the Tigris river, packed with Shia worshippers during a religious procession. A spokesman said some people were killed in the crush and others fell into the river and drowned when a railing on the bridge collapsed.

Conflicting reports have put the death toll between 300 and 640. Brigadier General Khalid Hassan told Associated Press at least 340 people died, but Iraq's deputy health minister, Jalil al-Shumari, told Reuters that more than 500 may have died. An interior minister is reported to say the death toll had risen to 640.

following of the article:

One Iraqi television station reported that the prime minister, Ibrahim Jaafari, has declared three days of morning for the victims of the stampede.
The deaths happened after rumours spread that a suicide bomber was preparing to blow himself up among the crowd celebrating a Shia ceremony.

Thousands of people had been making their way towards the Kadhimiya mosque - an important Shia shrine in the north of Baghdad - to celebrate the martyrdom of Mousa al-Kadim, a revered religious figure among Shia Muslims.

One hospital source said it had received at least 100 bodies and 255 injured by 9.30 BST. The source said bodies were also being sent to two other nearby hospitals. "We have lost count, we have hundreds and hundreds of dead and injured," a health ministry official told Reuters.

Several mortar attacks on the shrine were also reported, with at least seven people being killed and 35 injured. Television reports said around 1 million pilgrims from many parts of Baghdad and outlying provinces had gathered near the Kadhimiya mosque.

Tensions have been running high among Iraq's religious and political parties over the issue of the new constitution. A referendum is due to be held on the constitution on October 15 and today is the last day that Iraqis can register to vote.

The Sunnis are angry at what they see as the ruling Shia and Kurdish coalition forcing through a draft constitution that alienates their hopes for a new Iraq.