Report From Paris by Darius KADIVAR
The "Peopolisation" of
French Politics extends to French celebrities of Persian
Decent.
The size of Sunday's
election victory - a resounding win by 53% for Right Wing UMP candidate Nicolas
Sarkozy to 47% for Ségolène Royal in a two-horse race , with a turnout of 85% -
gives the new president real authority. By far the longest and toughest
Presidential Campaign in decades, the French political arena seems to have also
been paving the way to a new generation of politicians and what the French Press
calls "La Peoplisation" of French political life with French celebrities ranking
from Rock and Film Stars to writers, philosophers and intellectuals taking a
clear political stand to support their favorite candidate. What may seem a very
natural thing in Anglo-Saxon politics particularly in the US where even an actor Ronald Reagan was to raise
to the high office, is on the contrary very new in France political
behavior. Indeed the People Press has always avoided political figureheads in
the past and rarely has the private lives of politicians been a subject of
scrutiny. One can recall the level of discretion that surrounded the late
François Mitterand's turbulent love affairs one of which was only revealed
internationally during his funeral where his unknown daughter "Mazarine Pingeot" born out of bedlock appeared with her mother amongst
other members of the legitimate family members and France's then
first lady Danielle Mitterand.
However this year's political campaign was certainly unique with
candidates particularly Mr. Sarkozy in rallying celebrities to support their
campaign and at times backfiring for the same reason. The most talked about case
was certainly that of France's Rock Star Johnny Halliday who after
publicly supporting Sarkozy chose
exile to neighboring Switzerland so as to avoid paying
heavy taxes. Other Stars such as actor Jean Reno ( The Professional, Godzilla)
and comic sidekick Christian Clavier ( The Visitors, Les Bronzes), Singers
Enrico Macias ( formally a staunch socialist ) and Faudel also publicly
supported Sarkozy while Ségolène Royal (the first women candidate to run for the
Presidential 2nd round election in French History) was joined by
first generation ethnic celebrities like Jamel DeBouze or Tennis Champ Yannick
Noah. In this rare passionate political atmosphere where issues such as
immigration and unemployment have been of more concern to French electors than
international politics, it should be noted that Iran was once again an issue of
concern for both candidates particularly in regard to Islamic Republic's Nuclear ambitions and Human Rights
record that were debated on Television during the final presidential duel. If
Royal, who has been criticized for her lack of experience in Foreign policy,
when as far as denying
Iran's right to
nuclear energy, Sarkozy seemed to be more on the issue claiming that he believed
in strong sanctions and rejected a military attack on Iran as
"irresponsible". He however expressed to strongly oppose Turkey's inclusion in the European Union which he
considers as belonging to Asia Minor and not to an Old and Christian Continent
like Europe. Amidst the "Peopolisation" it is
interesting to note that Iranian expat celebrities in France have also
joined their public voice in support of their favorite candidates. With a
population of 62 000 approximately ( most of whom fled
Iran during or after the Revolution )
they do represent an often educated and successful constituency albeit
representing a minority population wise.
Top: General De Gaulle
greets Iran's Royal Couple at
Elysée
Palace (1962). Then Prime
Minister to Valéry Giscard d'Estaing Jacques Chirac and wife greeted by Iran's
Prime Minister Hoveyda and family in Tehran (1976). Hoveyda Brothers and
President Pompidou in early 1970's. ©Iranian.com
The most notable being
playwright Yasmina Reza
who is about to publish the official biography of the soon to be President
Nicolas Sarkozy due in September who has followed him closely during his year
long campaign. The author of the internationally acclaimed play ART
shares with the currently elected president common Hungarian and Jewish Roots
and like him is a first generation French citizen. Born in Paris to an Iranian Father
and Hungarian (*) violonist mother, Reza claims that she was more fascinated by
the former Interior Minister's personality than by his political Agenda. An
Agenda that Sarkozy's rivals of the left and center right spearheaded by
Ségolène Royal and François Bayrou consider as too radical particularly in
regard to immigration issues that triggered violent riots throughout
France in 2005. Given Sarkozy's
proximity and approval of Reza's official account, he authorized biography of
the now elected President will be particularly scrutinized when released this
upcoming Fall.
Iran
and France have a long History of cordial
relations and
common interests despite regime change
©iranian.com
Iran French
relations have been for the most cordial despite regime changes over the past
century. It has not been however without its share of diplomatic conflicts some
of which have left deep scars between the two nations and as the latest
presidential debate in France demonstrated an issue of
political discord between the two final running candidates.
The first diplomatic controversy to
have clouded French Iranian relations was that of the EURODIF joint venture and
which is certainly indirectly responsible for Iran's nuclear
ambitions today. In 1973 France, Belgium, Spain and Sweden formed
the joint stock company EURODIF. Sweden withdrew from the project in
1974. In 1975 Sweden's 10 per
cent share in EURODIF went to Iran as a result of an arrangement between
France and
Iran. In 1974, the Mohammad Reza Shah
Pahlavi lent 1 billion dollars (and another 180 million dollars in 1977) for the
construction of the factory, to have the right to buy 10% of the production.
After the Islamic revolution of 1979, Iran's government suspended its payments and
attempted to obtain a refund for the loan by pressuring France by
handling terrorist groups. Finally an agreement was reached in 1991:
France refunded more than 1,6 billion
dollars. Iran remains a shareholder of Eurodif
via Sofidif, a Franco-Iranian consortium shareholder which owns 25 % of Eurodif.
The three assassin's of the Shah's last Prime Minister Shapour Bakhtiar's and
his secretary in Paris in 1991 are still running. Roland Dumas
former French minister of Foreign
Affairs is said to have been preparing a State visit of President Mitterand to
Tehran at the
time of the assassination. ©Iranian.com
The financial agreement was
ironically settled amidst the tragic assassination of Iran's last Prime Minister under the Shah,
Shahpour Bakhtiar who took refuge in France after the revolution to form a democratic
opposition to the victorious theocracy in power in Tehran. The former
decorated French Resistant who
initially was a political opponent to the Shah's regime wished a
democratic replacement to the Islamist revolutionaries had accepted the post of
Prime Minister as an ultimate hope of stopping the power hungry ayatollah
Khomeiny. Abandoned by the Western Allies he vainly tried to organize the
opposition outside Iran including all political factions
from monarchists to republicans but after several failed assassination attempts
he had to reduce his political activism pressured by the French Socialist
government of the Time. He was assassinated in brutal circumstances along with
his secretary Soroush Katibeh in his Parisian Home
despite close Police Protection. His assassination strangely coincided with the
solving of differenced on the EURODIF consortium between Iran and France which
was to be concluded with a State Visit of President François Mitterand to Tehran
but which was canceled due to this dramatic conclusion for the former Iranian
Prime Minister.
:
French World light weight Champ Mahyar Monshipour has been
equally
approached by Royal ( Photo Top Right) and Sarkozy but refuses
any
political label. He is a Sports Consultant for the French City
of Vienne where
he He published a touching
autobiography La
Rage d'Etre Français.
Tennis Champ Mansour Bahrami
enlisted on Sarkozy's UMP party.
He has also released his autobiography
entitled "Le
Cour des Miracles".
©amazon.fr
If the one of
the three identified assassin's was arrested in Geneva then expatriated to
France, he was soon to be returned to Iranian authorities and led to another
famed Presidential debate between Jacques Chirac and François Mitterand over an
obscure diplomatic crisis regarding Wahid Gorgji an Iranian diplomat linked to a
series of bloody assassination in Paris and who took refuge at the Iranian
Embassy in Paris. This incident was also to have tragic collateral damages that
have recently been the subject of a documentary film entitled La Fille
du Juge a first account testimony by the daughter of the French Judge,
Gilles Boulouque, who committed suicide during the hectic investigation due to
political intimidation and pressures.
Another issue of
controversy between Iran and
France has been the status of
the Armed Opposition Organization of the Peoples Mujahedin Khalge known as the
MKO which is labled as a terrorist organization by the European Union as well as
the current US administration. The Para Military
organization founded by Massoud Rajavi and led by its self
elected wife Maryam Rajavi combines both
Marxist and Islamist ideologies and has made headlines for the spectacular
fanatical actions of some of its members such as self immolation to protest against the
arrests of its leaders and major members. It claims to have given up military
actions against the Islamic Regime in Tehran and seeks respectability amongst
European Deputies and Personalities of the French Show Biz and intellegensia
such as Bernard Lavillier, controversial
excommunicated Bishop Jacques Gaillot to name a few. It
has however found amongst its most staunchest ally the former First Lady
Danielle Mitterand, who has often been at Odds with her own husband the late
French President François Mitterand who favored
political ties with Iran
whilst selling Arms to both Iran
and Iraq during their 8 year war.
Often at Odds with her late husband, Danielle Mitterand
former
First Lady has supported the cause of the People's Mujahedin
Khalg
considered as a
terrorist and sectarian organization
by the
European Union as well as French
Judiciary.
©Iranian.com
The days of this
organization ( that has its head quarters in the Val D'Oise department in the
outskirts of Paris) in France may well be counted with the election of Right
Wing Nicolas Sarkozy who is known for his anti-communist stand as well as
pro-American sympathies and his claims to combat terrorism and support Human
Rights wherever they are threatened added to the fact that the MKO remains a
highly unpopular amongst most Iranians for participating in the 8 year War
against Iran with the help of Saddam Hussein (See
Photo).
Unlike the politically tainted first
generation Iranians who settled in France before and after the
revolution, the rising success of
French Iranians in recent years has
fortunately given rise to a new generation of citizens who are also gaining a
much deserved attention in the French Media for their personal accomplishments.
French-born Pierre
Omidyar founded ebay, establishing himself as one of the major online
tycoons and philanthropists.
Not bad for a the former software engineer who simply loved buying and collecting Tintin items and who like
many Iranians is a great fan of Hergé's comic book hero. Two Sportsmen in
particular deserve attention in this regard and they are respectively Tennis
Champ Mansour Bahrami and Box Champ
Mahyar
Monshipour both of whom have recently released their autobiographies in
French.
Bahrami did not become a household
name during his days on the main ATP tour but enough of his fellow players had
seen his talent at first hand to be impressed. He was perhaps the only player in
history to be paid a guarantee just to enter the qualifying tournament for ATP
tournaments. However, when the Champions Tour was set up for players aged over
35 in 1993, he had found his niche. Over time, the matches that he played with
the likes of Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, ensured that he
achieved star status in his own right.
Bahrami had always been an
entertainer but his attitude fitted perfectly with the aims of the Champions
Tour where giving the public a show was essential. He continues to travel for 40
weeks of the year playing exhibition tournaments in which his range of unusual
and breathtaking shots are played. His specialty shots include the power shot
through the legs, the lob through the legs and the drop shot which bounces back
over the net due to excessive backspin. His sense of humor shines through all of
his matches and the crowd are never sure of his latest move, be it serving
whilst holding six balls, an under arm serve, catching the ball in his pocket or
deliberately missing a smash.
Fame came to Bahrami over time to
the extent that he has now played within all of the major tennis venues
throughout the world including the show courts at Wimbledon and the French Open. He is married to a French
wife Fréderique and they have two children. Unlike his French pal and sidekick
Yannick Noah who prefers Royal, he has chosen to support Nicolas Sarkozy. His
autobiography, "Le
Cour des Miracles". was published in 2006, accompanying a DVD entitled
The Man Behind The Moustache chronicling his life and the highlights of his
career. Bahrami's sports legacy has certainly paved the road for the young
generation of French Tennis players of Persian Heritage like Aravane
Rezai.
Mahyar Monshipour was born on March
21, 1975 in Bam. At age 11 his father sends him to France to avoid
the Iran-Iraq war, and was taken care of by his aunt Mahnaz, who was married to
Abolhassan Banisadr the former Iranian president. He grew up in Poitiers and married a
French. He was naturalized French in 2001 and won the WBA title 6 times before
being beaten by Thai WBA Somsak Sithchatchawal on March 18, 2006. After the tragic
earthquake of Bam in 2003 which took 30 000 lives he created the l' association
France-Bam Solidarity to help the surviving victims and their family. Although approached by various political
parties including Ségolène Royal and Nicolas Sarkozy, he has always refused any
label and prefers to focus his activities on social and sports issues for which
he was named consultant at the general council of the Vienne Department. He
published a touching autobiography La
Rage d'Etre Français in which he explains the challenges and his thirst to
become French and his path towards glory on the Boxing Ring as French World
Champ in the discipline.
.
Controversial and provocative Chahdortt
Djavann is the author
of a
pamphlet Bas les
Voiles and Comment
Peut-on être Français? ©PDV
Reza Deghati better known as Reza
was born in Tabriz,
Iran. He studied
Architecture at University of Teheran. A French citizen, today Reza is a
renown photojournalist highly regarded, world-wide. Published by the most
prestigious International magazines, he travels the globe from the Bosphorus to
the Great Wall of China, from Lebanon to Afghanistan, from Rwanda to Sarajevo, and Central Asian steps to the
greatness of the Arabian Empty Quarter.
He has given many lectures at
universities such as Stanford, George Washington, South California, Paris'
Sorbonne, Beijing, Istanbul and many other distinguished institutions such as
Unesco, National Geographic Society, Seattle, New York Documentary Museum, and
more.
National Geographic television has
produced several films portraying Reza and his photographic and humanitarian
work. One has received an Emmy Academy Award in 2002.
In 1991, Reza and his brother
Manoocher founded Webistan Photo Agency,
which has been distributing their own archives but also those of several other
photographers.
Having been a consultant to the
United Nations in Afghanistan in 1990, being culturally
close to this country and particularly being a journalist led Reza to found AINA. The NGO AINA, is based in Paris, Kaboul and
Washington D.C., struggles for developing a civil society
and cultural expression by empowering media and
communication.
In November 2005 Reza
was honored with the title of "Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite", the French award for distinguished services in a public or private
capacity, by the President of France, Mr. Jacques Chirac. During the
Presidential campaign however Reza wrote an Open Letter of Protest to the then
candidate Nicolas Sarkozy during the election campaign in France ironically
entitled Lettre persane"de REZA PHOTOJOURNALISTE à Mr
SARKOZY in reference to French
Philosopher Montesquieu.
Chahdortt Djavann was born
in Iran in 1967, but lives in Paris since 1993. Her first novel, Je viens d'ailleurs aka I come from elsewhere was published in
2002. In the Fall of 2003 she published a political pamphlet that generated
great controversy in France called Bas Les Voiles aka Down with the Veil ! As well as a
second novel entitled Auto portrait de
l'autre followed by her essay Que Pense Allah of Europe ? aka
What does Allah think of Europe ?
She has gathered notice in Literary circles and is published in both
France and Germany.
Seen like the Iranian
Equivalent of Italian Journalist Oriana Fallacci who wrote a powerful
post-September 11 manifesto: The Rage and
the Pride , Djavann's debateable opinions sometimes extreme in its
rejection of muslim faith are not always shared in France where Islam is the
second religion with an important north African community. Her views seem
nevertheless to divide public opinion given her very harsh and often bold
criticism's of Islam and her struggle for Muslim Women's rights.
The Past and the Future
(Bottom) Iran's Former
Empress Farah (Diba) Pahlavi is a
Permanent
Foreign Member of the French Académie des Beaux
Arts since
1974. (Top) President Jacques Chirac confers the
Commander of
Legion of Honor to Nobel Peace Laureate Shirine Ebadi in
2006.
© Service photographique de la
Présidence de la République
&
FarahPahlavi.org
Although not French citizens both
Shirin Ebadi and former Empress of Iran Farah Pahlavi are greatly admired by the
French albeit for different reasons. Both of their Biographies were translated
into the language of Moliere under the respective titles Iranienne
et libre : Mon combat pour la justice ( aka Iran Awakening) and Farah
Pahlavi Mémoires (aka An enduring Love: My Life with the Shah).
Interestingly Ebadi was pinned as Commander of the Legion of Honor ( The highest
decoration in France) by President Jacques Chirac in 2006 and Shahbanou Farah is
a permanent foreign member of the prestigious Académie des Beaux Arts
ever since her nomination in 1974
by the Academicians also known as Immortals, since they are replaced only
after death very much like the Persian Elite Regiment under the Aechemenid Kings
from which their symbolic name is derived. If neither have expressed any opinion
on the new elected President or on France's interior politics, their
views on the situation in their home country remain of interest in diplomatic
and journalistic circles.
Last but not least,
it is most probably a comic book which has shape the thoughts and outlook
of French people on Iranians living
in France. Persepolis is a widely acclaimed
illustrated series by author Marjan Satrapi which first got noticed by French
readers after winning at the Angouleme Festival of Comic Books a few years ago.
The native of Iran who grew
up a rebel against any form of conformatism and typecasting amidst the Islamic
Revolution and later in private schools in Austria and France has
become an icon of an entire generation that transcends nationalities ever since
the publication of her comic books by a small French Publisher called
l'Association.
Marjan Satrapi's Persepolis now a Major Motion
Picture
prefers to mock the Political correctness of a so-called
Clash
of Civilizations ©Persepolis, l'Association
Persepolis became an
instant hit and was translated in several languages and is now about to be
released as a Major Animated film by Sony Pictures and will be competing at the
upcoming Cannes International Film Festival for the Palme d'Or. Exactly a decade
after Iranian Film Maestro Abbas Kiarostami won the prestigious prize and
introduced the world to the Iranian
New Wave Cinema.
It is indeed a Happy Irony that for
the First generation of Iranian expats living in France Art, literature and
sports have gradually but surely replaced Political dilemma's and rivalries as
means of proving that they are to be counted upon as Free minded and dedicated
citizens of France.
Author's Notes:
(*) Article in Relation
Iran-Hungary:
Interestingly Iranian and Hungarians
seem to share old and enduring cultural ties as a recent ceremony event in Budapest
suggests.
Articles in Relation to
France-Iran:
About
the Author: Darius KADIVAR is a Freelance Journalist, Film Historian, and
Media Consultant.
... Payvand News - 5/29/07 ...
