Switzerland’s foreign minister Micheline Calmy-Rey has rejected renewed criticism of her visit to Tehran last week and denied allegations that she had become a victim of Iranian state propaganda. The Socialist politician reiterated that she had raised human rights issues during her talks with Iran’s president Ahmedinejad and foreign minister Mottaki. She also said her presence at the signing ceremony for a deal between a private Swiss energy firm and Iran's national gas export company was in the interest of Swiss business and diplomacy. Calmy-Rey told the newspaper “NZZ am Sonntag” that it had been "useful" to meet Ahmadinejad face to face: "I said corporal punishment, amputations, stoning were not acceptable." In addition, the meeting "also enabled me to tell him that wanting to wipe Israel off the map is unacceptable", she told the paper.
Calmy-Rey said Switzerland had its own strategic interest to defend, despite criticism by other countries. The United States and Israel have accused Switzerland of setting a bad example and the Federation of Swiss Jewish Communities issued a statement saying it was “shocked and disappointed” at the deal which Calmy-Rey helped to clinch.
The embattled foreign minister underlined that she had covered her hair during her visit to Iran to respect the local tradition and to be able to hold talks with Iran’s leaders on human rights issues and the controversial nuclear program. The pictures of Calmy-Rey wearing a headscarf provoked an outcry in Switzerland as critics accused her showing a sign of submission.
