The difficulties the French have in pronouncing the letter ‘h’ landed the country’s foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, in hot water.

Israeli media quoted the minister as saying Israel ‘will eat’ Iran if the Islamic Republic gained possession of nuclear weapons, prompting Kouchner’s office to issue a statement of clarification on Sunday.

Kouchner wanted to say in an interview given in English that Israel would ‘hit’ Iran if it developed nuclear weapons.

[from the Official Instruction Manual for French Foreign Ministers, 2nd English edition, Page 342]

IV. Public Statements to Foreign Newspapers

  A) Always make your remarks in English, so as to prevent any confusion with the foreign press’s translation.
  B) If at all possible, do not use words starting with the letter “h.”
    i. Additionally, avoid using any of the following words:
      a) bit
      b) hate
      c) think
      d) crepe
      e) sheet
      f) pommes frites
  C) Foreign Office employees are no longer permitted to hold “Pink Panther” marathons in the office during work hours.

Tags: international relations, france, israel, iran, hungry jews, comical misunderstandings, inspector clouseau