webfact Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 Trump caught off guard as Iran's Zarif visits G7 summit town By John Chalmers and Richard Lough FILE PHOTO: Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, speaks during a news conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Alhakim in Baghdad, Iraq May 26, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid Al-Mousily BIARRITZ, France (Reuters) - Iran's foreign minister paid a visit to a G7 summit in France on Sunday, an unexpected twist to a meeting already troubled by differences between U.S. President Donald Trump and Western allies over a raft of issues, including Iran. A White House official said France's invitation to Mohammad Javad Zarif for talks on the sidelines of the gathering in the southwestern beachside town of Biarritz was "a surprise". Zarif met his French counterpart to assess what conditions could lead to a de-escalation of tensions between Tehran and Washington, a French official said. Zarif also saw French President Emmanuel Macron during his brief stay, but the White House official said the Iranian minister did not meet any U.S. officials before he flew out of Biarritz airport. 2019-08-25T085959Z_1_LOV000L73X9NK_RTRMADV_STREAM-2000-16X9-MP4_G7-SUMMIT-WORKING-SESSION-ROUGH-CUT.MP4 The leaders iof the G7 held their first working session in the French resort town of Biarritz on Sunday (Aug 25). Rough cut (no reporter narration) The three-day Group of Seven gathering is taking place against a backdrop of worries about a global economic downturn and coincides with an era of international disunity across an array of issues. On Sunday a French presidential source said the G7 had agreed that the summit's host, French President Emmanuel Macron, should hold talks and pass on messages to Iran after the leaders discussed the issue on Saturday evening (Aug 24). The source said the priority remained to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons and defuse tensions in the Gulf. Macron wants the heads of Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States to focus on the defense of democracy, gender equality, education and the environment at the summit, and has invited Asian, African and Latin American leaders to join them for a global push on these issues. European leaders have struggled to calm a deepening confrontation between Iran and the United States since Trump pulled his country out of Iran's internationally brokered 2015 nuclear deal last year and reimposed sanctions on the Iranian economy. Earlier on Sunday, Trump appeared to brush aside French efforts to mediate with Iran, saying that while he was happy for Paris to reach out to Tehran he would carry on with his own initiatives. Macron has taken the lead in trying to defuse tensions, fearing that a collapse of the nuclear deal could set the Middle East ablaze. He met Zarif on Friday ahead of the G7 summit to discuss ways of easing the crisis, including reducing some U.S. sanctions or providing Iran with a compensation mechanism. Iran wants to export a minimum of 700,000 barrels per day of its oil and ideally up to 1.5 million bpd if the West wants to negotiate with Tehran to save the 2015 deal, two Iranian officials and one diplomat told Reuters on Sunday. However, Trump's fellow G7 leaders failed on Saturday to persuade the U.S. president to reissue oil sanction waivers that were granted last year to some buyers, but which came to end in May, a European diplomat familiar with the discussion said. 'DIFFICULT' DINNER Trump, a turbulent presence at last year's G7 gathering, insisted on Sunday that he was getting along well with other leaders of a group that also includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. But rifts emerged on issues from his intensifying trade war with China to the nuclear ambitions of both Iran and North Korea, and the question of whether Russian President Vladimir Putin should be readmitted to the group. Russia was excluded from what used to be the G8 in 2014 after it annexed Ukraine’s Crimea and then backed an anti-Kiev rebellion in the industrial region of Donbas in eastern Ukraine. A European official who declined to be named said Russia was the thorniest issue discussed over dinner on Saturday. "(The conversation) became a bit tense over this idea of the G7 being a club of liberal democracies ... that point was clearly not shared by the U.S. president," the official said. Trump's argument was that on a number of issues, like Iran and Syria, it made more sense to have Putin involved in the talks given that Russia is a key player there. New British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday congratulated Macron for hosting a difficult encounter. "You're doing well," Johnson said on the sidelines of the summit. "You did very well last night, my God, that was a difficult one, you did really, you did really well." The G7 gathering is taking place against a backdrop of worries that a global economic downturn could be exacerbated by the escalating tariff war between Washington and Beijing. Britain's Johnson voiced concern on Saturday about creeping protectionism and said those who support tariffs "are at risk of incurring the blame for the downturn in the global economy". Sitting across from Trump on Sunday, he said: "We're in favour of trade peace on the whole, and dialling it down if we can." Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte warned other leaders of the dangers of protectionism and urged Washington not to carry through on its threat to impose tariffs on German autos. However, the White House doubled down on its aggressive stance towards trade with China. White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham, explaining what Trump meant when he said earlier on Sunday that he had had second thoughts after announcing more tariff raises on Chinese goods last week, said that he simply regretted not hiking them higher. 'NICHE ISSUES' Looking to broaden the gathering, Macron invited several African leaders to discuss problems facing their continent, while leaders from India, Australia, Chile and Spain joined the group for dinner on Sunday where the focus was on the environment and other issues. However, senior U.S. officials accused Macron of looking "to fracture the G7" by focusing on "niche issues" rather than major global concerns. France denied this, pointing to Sunday's initial session covering the economy, trade and security - areas that used to draw easy consensus but are now sources of great friction. Trump up-ended last year's G7 meeting in Canada, walking out early and disassociating himself from the final communique. Amid the wrangling this time around, some potential positives emerged, with Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreeing in principle to core elements of a trade deal. "It's billions and billions of dollars. Tremendous for the farmers," Trump said. However, the two men appeared at odds over North Korea's series of short-range missile launches. Trump, who prizes his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said the launches did not violate an agreement and were in line with what others were doing. Abe, sitting across from him, said they breached U.N. resolutions. At the start of the day, Trump said Britain would have a major trade deal with Washington after it leaves the European Union. Asked what his advice on Brexit was for Johnson, he replied: "He needs no advice, he is the right man for the job". While the transatlantic rift is the most stark, there are also deep divisions within the European camp, with Johnson making his G7 debut at a time when he is struggling to persuade EU capitals to renegotiate Britain's exit from the bloc, which Johnson has said will happen on Oct. 31 come what may. (Reporting by Richard Lough, John Irish, Crispian Balmer, Marine Pennetier, John Chalmers, Jeff Mason, William James, Andreas Rinke and Michel Rose; Writing by John Chalmers; Editing by William Maclean, Crispian Balmer and Frances Kerry) -- © Copyright Reuters 2019-08-26 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Somtamnication Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 A dialogue between disagreeing leaders; what a new idea! The 'merkins would not understand that new age concept! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tug Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 Everything catches Donald off guard that beeing said dialogue is good talking is good I sincerely hope something comes of it I can rember when we were friends with Iran mistakes were made on both sides pray for peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metisdead Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 A troll post using a trolling representation of Trump's name has been removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorG Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Who is the eighth person pictured at the table? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammieuk1 Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Would have been nice if Mr Kim had joined him for some rocket tips ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emdog Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 "Who invited this madman?" "We had to, he's the President of the USA..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamypoko Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 1 hour ago, DoctorG said: Who is the eighth person pictured at the table? Looks like Gordon Sumner??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awinkl Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Trump is only concerned with HIMSELF - and if any person is not on his side - then they are the enemy!! He is simply ...."unbelievablY" self-centered and arrogant and PETULANT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Got to wonder about the getting caught off guard bit. Doesn't seem awfully reasonable. For one thing, I'm pretty sure the USA monitors Zarif's movements. And then there are various security arrangements to contend with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evadgib Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 A number of visitors are meeting one or more of the G7 leaders in the background, among them India's PM Modi who had a meeting with Boris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Tug said: Donald is always caught off guard he doesent read think or listen to consul he reacts that sir is the definition of beeing caught off guard he is unfit Just because you personally support the Democrats doesn't make him unfit. Btw it would be very naive to think Americas highly developed intelligence services don't follow the movements of foreign leaders and have ears and eyes everywhere. Trump knew for sure. But was as usual playing to the gallery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclag Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, Morch said: And people may certainly comment about the manner in which he carries out his duties. What's your point? Point is he is the representative of the USA! Respect the office Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Just now, riclag said: Point is he is the representative of the USA! Respect the office That's not a point. No one contended he's not the representative of the USA. As for "respect the office" - it would be relevant if the current holder of office would respect it himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 33 minutes ago, Morch said: Got to wonder about the getting caught off guard bit. Doesn't seem awfully reasonable. For one thing, I'm pretty sure the USA monitors Zarif's movements. And then there are various security arrangements to contend with. I'd suspect that the American Intelligence Services knew before some of the French officials! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 3 minutes ago, Baerboxer said: Just because you personally support the Democrats doesn't make him unfit. Btw it would be very naive to think Americas highly developed intelligence services don't follow the movements of foreign leaders and have ears and eyes everywhere. Trump knew for sure. But was as usual playing to the gallery. He's unfit regardless. Even if one supported his policies and views, it still wouldn't make his behavior and style acceptable or befitting the office he holds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 1 minute ago, Baerboxer said: I'd suspect that the American Intelligence Services knew before some of the French officials! Well, with the "French officials" label covering quite a wide range, that's practically a given - and doesn't hold much meaning. If you're talking about relevant, need-to-know officials, I doubt it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 6 minutes ago, Baerboxer said: Just because you personally support the Democrats doesn't make him unfit. Btw it would be very naive to think Americas highly developed intelligence services don't follow the movements of foreign leaders and have ears and eyes everywhere. Trump knew for sure. But was as usual playing to the gallery. Why do you think that Trump knew, when you only presume USA intelligence knew? You presume and as you know USA intelligence and Trump are not always on the same page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 3 minutes ago, stevenl said: Why do you think that Trump knew, when you only presume USA intelligence knew? You presume and as you know USA intelligence and Trump are not always on the same page. I think it's unlikely the USA intelligence services and some on Trump's staff weren't informed and aware. Similar doubts as to the likelihood of the information being withheld from the White House and/or Trump. Because if this was the case, there's no way that there won't be personal consequences to those involved, and because not everyone on related bodies is strongly anti-Trump, or lost sight of duties. I could understand the information being relaid to Trump himself when it was too late to back up from the event - as means to avoid a mess. Or, that he was informed but not paying attention. But more likely that the headline is inaccurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomazbodner Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Anyone else noticed the only person obscured on the photo above is Trump? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 3 minutes ago, tomazbodner said: Anyone else noticed the only person obscured on the photo above is Trump? https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1119741-trump-caught-off-guard-as-irans-zarif-visits-g7-summit-town/?tab=comments#comment-14503036 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tug Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 32 minutes ago, Baerboxer said: Just because you personally support the Democrats doesn't make him unfit. Btw it would be very naive to think Americas highly developed intelligence services don't follow the movements of foreign leaders and have ears and eyes everywhere. Trump knew for sure. But was as usual playing to the gallery. I don’t normally vote Democrat but as long as Donald trump has one shred of influence I will vote Democrat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedrogaz Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 51 minutes ago, riclag said: Point is he is the representative of the USA! Respect the office No respect is due a bully and a vulgar boor. Trump should resect the office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Off-topic, troll posts and replies reported and removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Muton Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 1 hour ago, Baerboxer said: Does some research and see how many countries elect their leader based on a candidate winning a simple majority based on a single vote. Not very many. Are you suggesting that makes it right, or in fact democratic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Muton Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 1 hour ago, riclag said: Yes ,we have been using this democratic process for over 200 years! The democratic process to change that is voting It's an electoral process but not a democratic process, regardles of how old it is, just like in the UK the process is old but the outcome does not reflect the votes cast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwest5829 Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 1 hour ago, riclag said: The office of the POTUS is decided by a electoral process in America! That person represents America at the G7. People who wish that this person not be there will have to wait until possibly 2024,for another choice 555 Yes, by an electoral process, not in this case by being elected by the majority of American voters. The Donald is the 5th man to serve as POTUS who was not elected by the majority of American citizen voters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwest5829 Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 1 hour ago, Baerboxer said: Just because you personally support the Democrats doesn't make him unfit. Btw it would be very naive to think Americas highly developed intelligence services don't follow the movements of foreign leaders and have ears and eyes everywhere. Trump knew for sure. But was as usual playing to the gallery. Quite so, I condemn him for his own words, policies, actions not because I lean democratic (in the current US political alignment of the major political parties). The Donald May have been told or not, by US intelligence but he has gone on record as rejecting some of their findings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Becker Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 1 hour ago, riclag said: Point is he is the representative of the USA! Respect the office Why should we when the holder of the office doesn't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billd766 Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 1 hour ago, riclag said: Point is he is the representative of the USA! Respect the office Most people respect the Office but not necessarily the current occupant. Respect is earned and not given freely with cereal packets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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