Amir Abbas Hoveyda on an official visit to Morocco

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Amir Abbas Hoveyda discussing with his cousin Farhad Sepahbody who was ambassador to Morocco.
At his embassy dinner offered for the PM and the enthusiastic Iranian community. Above, he is seen trying to
convince my brother Amir to stay in Morocco longer... by the way he was successful at that.
Below is a statement to the PRESS by Prime MinisterAmir Abbas Hoveyda that cousin Sepahbody has saved from
his mission to Paris where he was stationed in the mid-seventies. Hoveyda was then on an official visit to France
and below is his timely opening words to the French Press:

C'est, je crois, un magnat de la Presse occidentale qui aimait à dire à ses reporters que si un européen en difficulté constituait une nouvelle il fallait par contre, pour susciter le même intérêt, cent russes, mille persans ou cent mille chinois. les temps ont fort heureusement complètement changé, et je vois aujourd'hui qu'un seul Persan suscite l'amicale curiosité de tous les journalistes.

Autre changement, aussi: les anciens avaient coutume d'affamer les lions avant deleur offrir une victime - aujourd'hui, au contraire vous nous avez offert un excellent déjeuner et fort bien régalés, les uns et les autres, avant que ne s`ouvre l'arène.En fait, je tiens à vous faire une confidence j`attendais avec beaucoup de plaisir cette rencontre avec la presse, car je ne sais pas si mes réponses vous satisferont. Mais je sais par expérience que vos questions seront pour moi un grand enseignement: elles indiquent la manière dont on Nous voit, et nous montrent aussi quels sont les problèmes qui vous interessent et quels sont les problèmes qui préoccupent l'opinion publique.

Bref, j'apprends autant en vous répondant, que vous, en m'interrogeant. C'est un échange et une cooperation amicale et fructueuse. Alors, Mesdame et Messieurs, je suis à votre disposition.

Below is the English translation:

It is, I believe, a magnate of the Western press who liked to say to his reporters that if an European in difficulty constituted a news item, it was necessary on the other hand, and in order to foster the same interest to have, a hundred Russians, a thousand Persians or hundred thousand Chineses. Fortunately,  times have completely changed, and I see today that only one single Persian suscitates the friendly curiosity of all the journalists.

Also another change: the ancients had for custom to starve the lions before offering them a victim - today, contrary to that tradition, you offered us an excellent lunch and all of us ate well , before the arena opens. In fact I would like to confide to you I looked forward to this meeting with the press with a lot of pleasure,  however I do not certain if my answers will satisfy you. But I know by experience that your questions will be for me a great teaching: they will indicate the manner in which we are seen, and what are the problems that preoccupy public opinion.

In short, I learn as much by answering you, that you, in interrogating me. It is an exchange and a friendly and fruitful cooperation. Thus, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am to your entire disposal.

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