Storm in a Teacup

 

The mainstream media, are inclined to peddle their narrative rather than the facts, but in this case, to understand the facts takes a little insight. The stakes are high and most of us hope for a positive outcome.

 

Storm in a Teacup

 

I’m calling the tête-à-tête between presidents Trump and Zelensky a storm in a teacup because, it seems that negotiations are back on the table by now. I saw a couple of things that happened that nobody else seems to have done, and because it looks to me that there will be progress, it could be assumed the explanation doesn’t matter and then again, maybe not, but here goes.

First a little personal story.

When our forest was ready for harvesting to begin, I was in charge of getting the operation started. The son of my neighbour and friend, who happened to be the local sawmiller, decided to throw his hat in the ring, so I helped him with the costing and what was required to make a go of it and he won the tender on a fair and open tender basis. The young fellow was learning was we went along and bought the necessary equipment, and employed a couple of bushmen. His output and quality easily met the demand.

When his contract came up for renewal, the big noises at the regional office had a mate who had been logging overseas and had arrived back looking for work. It was as plain as day to me they intended to award the contract to him. I objected and because I was known for having the ear of the local member of parliament, they called me down to their office about 300 kilometres away, to soft-soap me. I told my neighbour what was afoot, but promised I would fight in his son’s corner.

I had guessed correctly and at the meeting I had four big noises singing the praises of their fellow so I sang the praises of my fellow just as loudly. They wanted me to agree with them before I left the office, and I held out until 6:30 on a Friday evening while they usually finished up at 4:30 and had a few drinks. I had known all along that I would have to give in, which I finally did.

At least I could honestly face my neighbour and his son with honesty that I had put up the best fight that I could.

 

Now the issue at hand.

The first thing I would point out, is that I know how difficult it is to concentrate when using a second language for an hour. President Zelensky was there with a roomful of English speakers, and yes, I’m aware he had an interpreter there, and that for the most part, the conversation was cordial, but he didn’t want to quickly capitulate to the Russians, because he knew the Ukrainian people wouldn’t want him to. In an issue like this everyone wants to save face as much as possible.

 

The eruption (if I can call it that) was caused when President Zelensky said to Vice President Vance, ‘You raise your voice.’ Now, we all could see that VP Vance didn’t raise his voice, but this is where nuances in language come into play. Again, I’ve been there myself. He more than likely meant, ‘You often raise the issue of diplomacy…’ or ‘You always highlight diplomacy…’ or perhaps, ‘You make a song and dance about diplomacy…’ Or there could be other variations.

On President Trump’s side, I don’t think he’s ever used another language, so he couldn’t be expected to pick up mistaken use of terminology, so he was quick to defend his deputy, which is what a good boss should have done, because he, as all of us saw that the vice president had not raised his voice. Also, Trump’s awareness that his country was watching and sooner or later so would President Putin, put pressure on him to become forthright. The art of diplomacy is about making points and being able to reading the room.

In the preamble, President Zelensky’s use of language seemed to needle the others… and maybe that is what he was trying to do, but manners and the use of speech differs with societies and while a professional interpreter might understand the nuances, the people who interpreted for me, usually didn’t quite get the gist of what my meaning was, which is why I did my best to lean the language, manners and all.