Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Nation & World


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published May 5, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 5, 2007 at 2:02 AM

E-mail article     Print view

U.S.-Iran chat foiled by violinist's red dress

Larissa Abramova, a Ukrainian violinist, thought her red dress was lovely. But it apparently offended Iran's foreign minister so much he...

The Associated Press

SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt — Larissa Abramova, a Ukrainian violinist, thought her red dress was lovely. But it apparently offended Iran's foreign minister so much he boycotted a gala dinner attended by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Abramova wore a sleeveless dress with matching gloves coming up past the elbow and a red scarf draped over the low-cut front. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit had hoped Thursday's dinner would be a chance for Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Rice to have an informal talk on the sidelines of an international conference on Iraq in this Red Sea resort town. A place had been set for him across from Rice at the dinner.

But Mottaki only went as far as the lobby, where Abramova was playing at the bar, entertaining diplomats passing by on their way to the restaurant.

Through a translator, Mottaki told reporters there were problems with "Islamic standards" at the gathering. "There was something wrong with that so I offered my apologies," Mottaki said. "There was no other reason."

A U.S. official with Rice's delegation said Mottaki complained to the Egyptians that the hotel violinist was dressed too revealingly.

"I don't know which woman he was afraid of, the woman in the red dress or the secretary of state," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Friday.

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

More Nation & World headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Obama seeks equal partnership in Asia

NYC trial for 9/11 suspects poses risks

Madoff employees arrested

Fort Hood gunman contacted Pakistan, lawmaker says

Immigration on White House agenda

Advertising

Video

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.

Video shows violent arrest by SPD
Fort Lewis Memorial
Highlights: Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Seattle International Cabaret Festival
Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Medal of Honor
Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center
Pelosi speaks at Swedish Medical Center
"Pistol" Pete Ryan

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising