had prepared The small commotion in the great hall of the Federal Executive office of Hamed Abdel-Samad apparently carefully. Shortly before one at noon on Tuesday, the German Islam critic, reported in the event series “Forum Bellevue. The future of democracy” to the word and was encouraged by Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier also, his contribution on the theme of “Everything is a matter of faith?” to bring to the public hearing. However, Abdel-Samad was not satisfied just to warn urgently against the power structures of political Islam in Germany.

From his place in the second row, just a few meters from Steinmeier’s chair on the Podium away, and flung the guest of the German head of state abruptly his criticism of his congratulatory telegram to the Iranian national holiday. “Not in my name not in my name” said he, and was categorical: “you have sent the wrong signals to the Regime in Iran.” The should feel encouraged. He did not send the wrong Signal to the Iranian Opposition and its own people in Germany, in which the message is received, “that we take our own values”.

The Federal President only went two sets to the fundamental criticism. “I think it is a pity that you did not hear my speech clearly. Otherwise, you could have this comment to make,” he said – and then called the next expert on the topic of Religion in the audience.

in fact, Steinmeier was received in his welcome speech on the relationship between Religion and democracy offensive to the allegations in connection with the congratulations telegram to Tehran, and had shown understanding for the turmoil that had triggered it in some. After a few days ago, first the “image”newspaper about the luck wishes to the Iranian leadership reported, and days after new witnesses for the prosecution had wanted, criticized on Monday the Chairman of the Central Council of Jews, Josef Schuster, the telegram. At the same time, Steinmeier seems to understand that he had to take the escape to the front.

For German foreign policy, it is important, first of all, the existence to protect Israel’s right to exist and defend, said the former foreign Minister and current Federal President: “This is our historical responsibility, and this remains our top political Maxim!” At the weekend, had written him a citizen and asked how this Maxim is in compliance with the telegram of the national holiday in Iran, a country with an authoritarian Regime, the passing in the name of Religion, human rights and the existence of attacking Israel’s right to exist. What Steinmeier said: The comment echo was devastating.

Gauck congratulated Iran

“I understand the question, I understand you very well,” said Steinmeier. You have accompanied him in dealing with Iran, literally for decades in his political life, said the politicians who had almost managed for eight years, the Ministry of foreign Affairs. Specifically, Steinmeier was behind the efforts of the Federal government, to defend the nuclear deal with Iran against US pressure. It is wrong to give the pressure of sanctions, “simply from the Hand, and Iran into further Isolation and radicalisation into drive”.

Both is not necessary – willingness to take criticism and Strive to keep the lines of communication never completely tear off. This Effort reflected also in the “decades-long diplomatic practice” to write of a “politely-worded congratulations” to the national holiday. Nevertheless, he would continue to voice criticism on Iran, – said the Federal President – and remembered also that he had invited to his event series “Forum Bellevue” also Salman Rushdie, against whom Iran used to be a Fatwa for blasphemy imposed.

Only he got as the Iranian President is usually not a congratulatory telegram to the Federal President of the national holiday: Mahmoud…photo: dpa

the state had since the 80’s-years of practice, the Federal President would, in turn, authoritarian heads of state of the national holiday, it had already welcomed before the office of the President. On Tuesday, the office of the President letter of congratulations, published by the Federal President since Karl Carstens to the Iranian national holiday. Also as in human rights issues, particularly fastidiously current President Joachim Gauck wrote in a similar diction, as Steinmeier (“my country people”). Only in the term of office of the President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the practice had been suspended after his radicalization in office from 2007 to 2013.

Against risk-free Claim of human rights

Steinmeier in his speech he referred to his experience as a foreign Minister. In his two terms in office (from 2005 to 2009 and 2013 to 2017) was the former SPD-politician repeatedly with criticism of his handling of human rights. Among other things he had expressed in 2011 is critical to a Meeting of Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) with the Dalai Lama in the Chancellery and in front of negative consequences on the relationship with China be warned.

Steinmeier was Directed at the time by the Conviction that he could achieve in the absence of sharp sounds through persistent diplomatic work-in-progress. The, in his opinion, risk-free loud Claim of human rights by German politicians, he believed, bring good comments in the press, aggravating but negotiations.

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After Steinmeier’s speech at Schloss Bellevue, the Central Council of the Jews quickly made it clear that he sees no rift. It was “very gratifying” that Steinmeier, the devastating human rights articulates the situation and the threat in the Region, through the country, said Central boss Schuster.