Iranian Negotiator Ordered By Khamenei To Stop Yelling At John Kerry
By V. Saxena, February 19, 2015.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, a lead negotiator in talks with the U.S. over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, has been ordered by Ayatollah Khamenei “to stop yelling at Kerry and other top U.S. officials during the talks,” reports the Washington Free Beacon:
Following reports that Zarif shouts at Kerry, Zarif was summoned to a meeting with Khamenei. He referred to this meeting during recent remarks made to a high school class, according to the IRNA.
“‘Why you are yelling in negotiations? Smile and speak,’” he recalled the Supreme Leader saying. “‘Do not quarrel on the negotiation table, reason with them,’” Khamenei continued, citing a verse from the Quran that states “Go, both of you, to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds.… But speak to him mildly; perchance he may take warning or fear [Allah].”
It should be noted though that reports concerning Zarif’s absurd temper have been floating around the newsphere since late 2004. Furthermore, this sort of behavior is not exactly all that shocking, given that Iranian negotiators have apparently always had a penchant for treating “their Western counterparts – particularly [Americans] – with scorn.”
Mind you, according to fellow Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi, the way in which Zarif has treated John Kerry is “unprecedented.” I guess something about Secretary of State John “Big Hug” Kerry really gets underneath Zarif’s skin.
Hmmm . . . I wonder what it could be!?
http://downtrend.com/vsaxena/stop-yelling-at-john-kerry
