No apologies: Boris Johnson holds first press conference with Kerry



WASHINGTON: -- The UK’s new foreign secretary had a veritable grilling at his first press conference alongside his US counterpart John Kerry. Boris Johnson deflected questions over undiplomatic utterings and emphasised the serious work he has to do, starting with Syria.

Striking a serious tone, he said:

“The whole country is facing another terrible humanitarian catastrophe, and therefore a potential leap in the number of refugees seeking to escape Syria. Russia in particular has a unique ability to persuade the Assad regime to end the carnage and return to the negotiation table”.

Speaking more generally, Johnson laid out his vague foreign policy vision as ‘more outward looking’ in the wake of the Brexit vote.

John Kerry said the special relationship with the UK was as essential as ever, despite the country’s vote to leave the EU. However, he added that it was important for the EU to strike a trade deal with the US, adding there was no way for Britain to make a pact before Brexit negotiations had concluded.

Getting down to business, later on Tuesday (19.7.16) the pair will meet with EU counterparts to discuss Syria and Saudi and UAE foreign ministers on Yemen.

Kerry responding to a journalist about working with Johnson said, “Our ambassador to the EU told me ‘this man is a very smart and capable man’. That’s the one I intend to work with.”

The most embarrassing moments came when journalists from across the Pond quizzed Johnson on his previous statements calling for apologies for his less than diplomatic statements.

Johnson replied saying that comments made during his journalistic career were ‘misconstrued’ and that it would take too long to apologise for the ‘rich thesaurus’ of rude remarks he had made over the years.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-07-20

Boris acts the baffoon at times, looks a bit windswept.

Yet he is a capable person, give him a chance to show what he is made of.

Boris makes me think of someone who just tried to wash his hair and suit at the same time in the bathtub without undressing and is not really dry yet.

I'm sure that in his new role as foreign secretary, the world will learn to like Boris.

Well, if they have a sense on humour they will.

Boris is a very smart man. Much more so than that olf John (gimme another Purple Heart) Kerry.

To wit:

"Blimy! It's that Kerry chap ..."

A camera monitoring London's 10 Downing Street appears to have caught Sec/State John Kerry making a surprise visit. When they see who it is, they try to shut the door.

John Kerry walks into door at No 10 Downing Street

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJf4wPqDVsc

The door usually hits him in the ass on the way out - not before he enters!

It looks like he is using a handgranate for comb?

Now you know why Teresa calls him Lurch!

Boris acts the baffoon at times, looks a bit windswept.

Yet he is a capable person, give him a chance to show what he is made of.

Totally agree; but God almighty, he looks seedier and seedier all the time. Is he drinking?

There has always been something likeable about him... hope you're right.

Boris is a very smart man. Much more so than that olf John (gimme another Purple Heart) Kerry.

To wit:

"Blimy! It's that Kerry chap ..."

A camera monitoring London's 10 Downing Street appears to have caught Sec/State John Kerry making a surprise visit. When they see who it is, they try to shut the door.

I find it amazing how a public figure in the US who has served his country by ENLISTING, someone who has actively put themselves in harms way for a cause they believe to be bigger then themselves can have such cheap shots laid on them.

John Kerry, John McCain... two volunteers from different political parties but who both have one great thing in common. They served their COUNTRY. Yet yourself and your gormless mates give a free pass to the real stay-at-home heroes like Trump and Dubya. Seriously, what is wrong with you blokes?

I wonder what you champs would say about someone like JFK if he was running for public office now, just putting to one side his sexual dalliances... would you try to discredit him vis his military service too?

In my country you blokes would not get a look in, you would be shot down in flames the minute you opened your mouths as the low info cheap-shot Charlies you are if you had a go at ANYONE who had risked life and limb and had served my country. It's just pathetic!

Oh, have a nice day, cheers

John Kerry walks into door at No 10 Downing Street

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJf4wPqDVsc

The door usually hits him in the ass on the way out - not before he enters!

This is actually quite an interesting time for Johnson. May very astutely put him in the limelight with nowhere to hide, which is much better than having him throwing insults from the wings. IF he can ride the storm and grovel enough and come out the other side as a credible politician then it's a win win. If not then he only has himself to blame. Grow up Boris and you just might make it!

Johnson replied saying that comments made during his journalistic career were ‘misconstrued’ and that it would take too long to apologise for the ‘rich thesaurus’ of rude remarks he had made over the years.

Perfect!