Re: British etiquette

[Mary Knox <mknox@HS.ANKENY.K12.IA.US>]

President Clinton can only attend foreign funerals if the country declares
a state funeral.  The royalty and government have not declared this a full
state funeral, even though the media seem to report it that way. The
British government and monarchy have chosen careful wording to give the
appearance but not the reality.  As a result, the President can NOT
attend. He would have a difficult time declaring her a friend given the
situation in England and her status.  The President is only forbidden by
protocol; he is not bound by any law!  Hillary, however, is NOT bound by
any protocol and, as a result, can attend as a friend since she is NOT
recognized as a leader of any country.

You will notice Saturday that some heads of state may be there.  For
instance, President Chirac of France is released from protocol because he
uses the reasoning that the family has invited him  because of the
kindness he showed when they came to France to claim her body.  I do not
know of any other heads of state.  If they are present, they would have to
have been personally invited by the Queen to attend!  She is calling the
shots on this one!

Mary K. Knox
Media Specialist
Ankeny High School
(515)965-9630
(515)965-9639 fax
mknox@hs.ankeny.k12.ia.us

 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 To quit LM_NET (or set NOMAIL or DIGEST), Send an email message to:
 listserv@listserv.syr.edu          In the message write either:
 1)  SIGNOFF LM_NET         or
 2)  SET LM_NET NOMAIL      or
 3)  SET LM_NET DIGEST
 For more help see LM_NET On The Web:  http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=