What Happens When Diplomatic Rule Book Is Ignored Before Millions?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 6, 2009 -- As Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi climbed out of his car, at the NATO conference in Strasbourg, he signaled to the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, the host, he had to take a phone call. Merkel was left flat footed. This was a major break from diplomatic protocol. Berlusconi paced the banks of the Rhine River, speaking forcefully on his cell phone, with his back to Merkel. Millions of viewers watched the public discarding of the protocol rule book, much to the merriment and speculation of the commentators.

Angela Merkel stood alone on a red carpet, formally greeting the 27 (should have been 28) member nations of NATO, including President Obama, in a 45 minute ceremony. BBC Television deferred their advertised programs to beam the ceremony live. The members were gathering on the German – French border to make an historic walk over a foot bridge, joining the two countries. The French prime minister, met the heads of NATO in the centre of the bridge, for a photo shoot of this history making moment for the European alliance. The group then proceeded to walk to the French side of the Rhine.

Finally Angela Merkel glanced at the Italian prime minister, still pacing the river bank, shrugged her shoulders and disappeared inside. Berlusconi walked off across the adjoining grass, followed by his body guard. Berlusconi did not join the other NATO heads, in the historical bridge walk, or the one minute silence in honour of NATO soldiers killed in action. He only appeared on the French side of the border in time for the second photo shoot.

A source from inside Berlusconi's office said Berlusconi had been carrying out NATO business on the phone, trying to get Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish Prime Minister, to accept Europe's choice of candidate for the next head of the military alliance. Turkey has objected to Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Danish prime minister, as the replacing outgoing NATO secretary-general.

A few days earlier the Italian prime minister had been scolded, or ribbed, by the Queen, at a G20 photo shoot, for shouting at Barak Obama. Prior to that the 72 year-old media magnate, now in his third term of office, had upset diplomatic circles when he twice referred to Obama's skin colour as a sun tan.

The gaffs keep coming. The First Lady, Michelle Obama briefly put her hand on the back of Queen Elizabeth, as the two chatted at a Buckingham Palace reception earlier in the week. The Queen had first placed her own hand on the Michelle Obama’s back earlier in their conversation. It is still a major offense for any person to touch the royal body of the British reigning Monarch.

Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard, appeared to put his arm around the Queen, as he directed her through a crowd. He still denies touching the royal body, but photographs show he came real close.

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