Iran refuses Merkel's flyover flight, Germany summons Iranian ambassador

[News_Editor]

Iran refuses Merkel's flyover flight, Germany summons Iranian ambassador

2011-05-31 16:49:21 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEHRAN (BNO NEWS) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel's flight was delayed by several hours on early Tuesday morning after the Iranian government decided at the last moment to deny permission for the aircraft to fly through its airspace, reports said.

Der Spiegel reported that Merkel's plane, which was also carrying a large delegation, was on a flight from Germany to India when it was informed at the last moment that Iran had revoked its permission for the aircraft to fly through Iranian airspace.

"There has never been an incident like this," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told Der Spiegel. Germany had previously been given permission to enter Iran's airspace.

According to the newspaper, Merkel's plane was forced to circle over Turkey for two hours while German diplomats negotiated with Tehran. The negotiations were mediated by Turkey and involved the German Foreign Ministry, but it is unknown what was discussed during the negotiations.

A second government aircraft which was carrying several members of Merkel's cabinet, including Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere and Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich, was able to fly over Iran without problems. That aircraft had left Berlin before Merkel's plane.

In a statement, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the incident was "absolutely unacceptable," adding that he had summoned the Iranian ambassador. "We shall make it very plain that such a breach of international conventions will in no way be tolerated by Germany," he said.

It remains unclear why Iran temporarily revoked access for the German government plane, but the diplomatic incident comes just days after the European Union decided to strengthen restrictive measures previously imposed against Iran due to concerns over its nuclear program.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-31

[Steely Dan]

Next time best perhaps to fly over very quickly and don't bother asking.

[Naam]

In a statement, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the incident was "absolutely unacceptable," adding that he had summoned the Iranian ambassador. "We shall make it very plain that such a breach of international conventions will in no way be tolerated by Germany," he said.

= bla-bla-bla Miss Westerwelle!

It remains unclear why Iran temporarily revoked access for the German government plane, but the diplomatic incident comes just days after the European Union decided to strengthen restrictive measures previously imposed against Iran due to concerns over its nuclear program.

just a tit for tat. EU imposed flight restrictions on Iran Air in July 2010.

The commission’s air safety committee unanimously decided to expand its restrictions on Iran Air, forbidding its fleet of Airbus A320 and Boeing 727 and 747 planes from flying in European air space.

[Naam]

Next time best perhaps to fly over very quickly and don't bother asking.

an elegant method to get rid of Herr Merkel without a state funeral and boring elections

[Ulysses G.]

Some posters should be commended for keeping up the glorious fight to protect Iran's sterling International reputation.

[jdinasia]

Some posters should be commended for keeping up the glorious fight to protect Iran's sterling International reputation.

LOL

[kuffki]

If anything, it seems Iran is trying to push the limits to see how far it can go.

Just the other day, the insane sanctions against a number of USA officials, now this.

Is it possible that Iran is trying to pick a fight?, sure looks like it.

Strangely though, Germany has always been one of very few country's to rather support Iran, by blocking some sanctions. So i guess Iran is NOW building a bigger list of enemies.

I hope it does not end up like Iraq with its bluff and plane arrogance.

[EnSvenskTiger]

I hope it does not end up like Iraq with its bluff and plane arrogance.

Yeah! You mean the WMDs right?

Tiger

[Steely Dan]

If anything, it seems Iran is trying to push the limits to see how far it can go.

Just the other day, the insane sanctions against a number of USA officials, now this.

Is it possible that Iran is trying to pick a fight?, sure looks like it.

Strangely though, Germany has always been one of very few country's to rather support Iran, by blocking some sanctions. So i guess Iran is NOW building a bigger list of enemies.

I hope it does not end up like Iraq with its bluff and plane arrogance.

Got it in one! The Iranians are looking for a fight indeed perversely the more they suffer the better according to the insane Shiite prophesy where the messiah will only come when great misfortune and suffering befall their people - being flattened by the U.S or Israel would fit the bill nicely.

[flying]

I hope it does not end up like Iraq with its bluff and plane arrogance.

Yeah! You mean the WMDs right?

Tiger

Yes I had to wonder if it was a Freudian slip with the *plane* arrogance

[Ulysses G.]

The Iranians are looking for a fight indeed perversely the more they suffer the better according to the insane Shiite prophesy where the messiah will only come when great misfortune and suffering befall their people - being flattened by the U.S or Israel would fit the bill nicely.

The Islamic "messiah" is what Christians call the anti-Christ.

[geriatrickid]

I hope it does not end up like Iraq with its bluff and plane arrogance.

Yeah! You mean the WMDs right?

Tiger

Self admitted WMD development program.

You might want to check the public statements of Iran.

[geriatrickid]

The messiah may already be on the ground in Iran.

Poverty has soared. Heroin and other drug addictions is in a national crisis zone and unemployment is still climbing (almost 15%) with inflation expected to reach 11% this year. Unlike battered western economies, unemployment is concentrated in the young demographic, As we all know, having unemployed males walking about is a recipe for problems. Old people don't get violent on the streets.

Of all the western countries not to p*ss off , Germany was it. Germany still has a robust export/import relationship with Iran. Basically, the Iranians have give Dr, Merkel another reason to heed the warnings of the UK, France, USA and Canada.