We've posted variously on Iran's blowing off France's fawning diplomacy and hand-wringing (you can start here and work your way back). In case M. Douste-Blazy* has missed the point, Iran -- that model of comity and the sweetness and light of sweet Islam -- Iran is pimp-slapping France for [Please sit down and firmly secure the sides of your chair. Tighter. Proceed.] human rights violations.

IRAN ACCUSES FRANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

TEHRAN, June 13, 2006 (AFP) - Iran's foreign ministry has criticized what it calls human rights violations in France and Britain in a letter to the Austrian presidency of the European Union, the ISNA news agency reported Tuesday.

"Iran voices its concern and regret over the terrible social and legal situation in France, such as a resumption of street unrest, the introduction of martial law in some cities, the crisis in employment law and attacks on Sorbonne University," the statement said.

Has M. Villepin outsourced all his ministries to Iran?

It added that France suffers from a "regretful situation in prisons, excessive police brutality [Iran suggests instead its own special brand of just-the-right-amount police brutality], torture and harassment of prisoners, and incorrect policies towards immigrants".

"The Islamic Republic of Iran also voices its concern over the treatment of Muslims in those countries, especially Muslim schoolchildren, and therefore seriously asks the EU to prevent moves that insult Muslims in Europe," the letter concluded.

The foreign ministry statement came a week before the annual meeting of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, at which the Iranian judicial system could find itself the subject of criticism.

Poor M. Douste-Blazy, even now he is weeping inconsolably in his big pink pillow, the pillow of the wounded soul, which he has had bespoke for just such occasions of outrageous insult -- and the occasional sleepover.

Boo hoo HOO, boo hoo HOO ! Pourquoi sont ils si méchants !

Now as several links in the above report attest, we clearly are not defenders of France's record on human rights. But, really. Iran? [Pause.] The Islamic Republic of Iran? Well, that has to be rich even by French standards.

We remember Jack's earlier hissy fit when Mr. Bush presumed to challenge France's suzerainty over Turkey. Strangely Jack has not rushed into headlines to denounce Iran's more intimate meddling in France's domestic troubles. Pas de commentaire. Yes, well, unlike America, Iran might put France on its "crowded map" project list.

* The dimmest bulb in the dark Chirac marquee™.

PFFT (What is this?): The whoredom of diplomacy 4¼ | Rayonnement français 0