Posted on 04/08/2005 7:05:51 PM PDT by FairOpinion
VATICAN CITY - Israel's president said he shook hands and chatted briefly with the leaders of the Jewish state's great enemies, Syria and Iran, during Pope John Paul II's funeral on Friday, but he cautioned against reading too much into the gestures.
President Moshe Katsav said he twice greeted Syrian President Bashar Assad, who sat one row behind him during the 2 1/2 hour service, and the Iranian-born Katsav said he spoke in Farsi to Iran's President Mohammed Khatami, just two chairs away as dignitaries gathered for the funeral were seated alphabetically.
"I don't think this has any diplomatic importance," Katsav told Israel's Channel Two television. "We are cultured people and say hello nicely and shake hands, but I don't think our differences have disappeared."
Nonetheless, the handshakes represented a small breakthrough. Peace talks between Israel and Syria broke down in 2000 and relations have grown increasingly hostile since then, and Israel accuses Iran of sponsoring terrorism and possibly targeting the Jewish state with nuclear weapons.
"There is no doubt that this is a precedent, it was a historic moment and unique opportunity," Katsav's spokeswoman, Hagit Cohen, said.
Katsav, whose position is largely ceremonial, also was embraced by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Cohen said. Israel does not have relations with any of the countries.
The gestures were among several chance encounters as nearly 200 world leaders and other dignitaries gathered in front of the marble facade of St. Peter's Basilica for the funeral, seated alphabetically according to the names of their countries in French, the language of diplomacy.
The seating order took on special significance toward the end of the Mass when congregants were asked to greet each other in a Catholic tradition known as the "sign of peace."
Britain's Prince Charles, for example, took the outstretched hand of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, widely criticized for rights abuses, although his office later stressed he considers Mugabe's regime "abhorrent."
French President Jacques Chirac, who led the opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq, also shook hands with President Bush — of the Etats-Unis — and bowed to kiss the hand of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who smiled broadly.
Katsav said he first shook hands with Assad after turning to greet the nearby Swiss leader. "The Syrian president also stood there. We exchanged smiles and shook hands," Katsav told the Web site of the Maariv daily.
He said a second handshake occurred during Christian prayers when Assad "extended his hand to me and we again shook hands."
Syria confirmed the handshake on Friday but downplayed its significance.
"It came in the framework of a casual situation and does not have any political connotation," Syria's official news agency quoted an unnamed Syrian media official as saying.
Iranian officials declined to discuss the reported encounter between Katsav, who was born in central Iran, and Khatami. The Iranian leader greeted Assad with kisses on both cheeks.
Katsav, who decided at the last minute to attend the funeral and upgrade Israel's representation, said that as he was leaving, "the Iranian president held his hand out to me. I shook his hand and greeted him in Farsi."
The men, who are roughly the same age, conversed about Yazd, the region where they were born, he told the television station.
Israel accuses Syria and Iran of backing Palestinian militants in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Vatican officials, meanwhile, said they were satisfied at the mix of princes and presidents, saying the dignitaries clearly felt comfortable in a nonpolitical atmosphere.
Prince Charles and Mugabe were another unlikely pair to exchange a handshake and the move drew criticism from European Union legislators.
The prince, who had to delay his wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles by a day to attend the funeral, was seated one place away from the 81-year-old African leader.
Charles was "caught by surprise" when Mugabe leaned over to offer his hand, a spokesman for the prince said, adding that the heir to the British throne finds Mugabe's regime "abhorrent." Charles' office said the incident apparently came during the peace exchange.
Mugabe was able to attend the funeral because an EU travel ban does not apply to the Vatican.
She's looking for extended canines.
Oh my gosh, you are right, I just zoomed in on the kiss to the hand of Condi---
I guess to caption Laura, you would have to put somthing like, "Wait until I get Condi alone, am I gonna tease her!"
or something, because she looks like she is enjoying the fact that Condi is having to have that puke's lips on her hand!
Leni
#1 Psstt... hey Dubya, check out the cans on that one... ---I'm not listening........
#2 Hey, Condi, you know his lips were all over Gerhardt Schroeder's butt all morning, right? ---I'm not listening........
#3 Kofi looking distracted in the background..."I am the world, I am the children, I am the one to make a brighter day, so keep on giving...."
George Bush: "Condi, I am so sorry to put you through this. Maybe I should have brought Carter instead."
Clinton: "Watch this. Next Condi will Slap Chirac's face. That's what she did to me earlier when I tried that same move."
Mandella: "She has no idea where those lips have been."
Condi: "Mr. Clinton, kindly remove your hand from my derrier."
Laura Bush: "Would you look at that. I never knew you could "french kiss" a hand, but I guess since he's French he should know."
Chirac: "This beats the heck out of Madeline Albright."
Laura looks like she's plotting her escape, in case Chirac tries to kiss her next....
LQ
LOL especially your NO. 2.
Was Laura seated next to him? Double EEEUuuwwww
This was a great set! LOL
Keep them coming. :)
EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.....Condi, get that hand washed honey! Frogs are diseased ridden rodents!!!!
Jacko.. bow and kiss my ring.
Yes, madame highness.
Did you notice that W. did NOT have Laura seated between him a Slick?
LOL....Very good!
Hey! Don't insult the dignity of Termites! Especially Logan, the Texas Termite.
Two bucks to know what ol' Kofi Annan is thinking. Prob'ly laughing at old Chirac because Chirac's all excited 'coz he's never been with Sistah, ooooo-eee!!.
LOL!
Where's that industrial strength Janitor In A Drum when I need it the most?
Totally. You nailed it. This is hilarious and to be saved for future reference.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.