(Telegraph - UK) Isambard Wilkinson - The Spanish government has cancelled a state banquet in honor of President Mohammed Khatami of Iran after Tehran insisted that he would not sit down to a meal with wine on the table. The state banquet, which was due to be given by King Juan Carlos, was removed from the schedule after Mr. Khatami's protocol office cited religious reasons for refusing to eat at a table where alcohol, specifically wine, was on offer. Rather than agree to a wine-free meal, the Spaniards cancelled the celebration customarily afforded to visiting foreign dignitaries.
2002-10-23 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive