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In your new memoir, A promised land (A Promised Land), former US President Barack Obama describes (also physically) other world leaders he met between 2009, when he entered the White House, and 2011, when the book concludes the culminating operation. on the death of al-Qaeda leader Ossama Ben Laden.
They are poetic and sometimes biting descriptions.
Vladimir Putin
Russian President, Prime Minister at the time: “Physically, it was normal: small and compact – the constitution of a fighter – with fine sandy hair, prominent nose and clear, alert eyes (…) an indifference in his movements , a lack of interest in his voice that indicated someone accustomed to being surrounded by subordinates and supplicants. “
Nicolas sarkozy
Then the French president: “With his dark, expressive and vaguely Mediterranean features (he was half Hungarian and a quarter of a Greek Jew) and of small stature (he was about five feet but he put on his shoes to look taller), he looked a figure from a painting by Toulouse-Lautrec “.
“The conversations with Sarkozy were fun and maddening, his hands in perpetual motion, his chest raised like a rooster, his personal translator (…) always by his side trying to frantically mirror all his gestures and intonation as he conversations went from flattery to swagger to genuine discernment, never straying from their primary and badly concealed interest, which had to be at the center of the action and take credit for whatever it was worth. “
Benjamin netanyahu
The Israeli Prime Minister: “With the constitution of a linebacker [defesa no futebol americano], with a square jaw, broad features and a gray hairdo, Netanyahu was intelligent, cunning, tough and a natural communicator in both Hebrew and English. “
“Netanyahu could be charming, even thoughtful, when it served his purpose.”
“But his view of himself as the Jewish people’s chief defender against calamity allowed him to justify almost everything that held him in power – and his familiarity with American politics and the media gave him confidence that he could resist. any pressure that a democratic administration like mine might try to apply. “
Angela Merkel
German Chancellor: “Merkel’s eyes were large and bright blue and could alternately be touched with frustration, amusement or signs of sadness. Other than that, her impassive appearance reflected her analytical and serious sensibility.”
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Turkish President (then Prime Minister): “Personally, I found him cordial and generally receptive to my requests. But every time I heard him speak, his tall, slightly curved figure, his voice a loud staccato that rose an octave in response to various complaints or apparent contempt, he had the strong impression that his commitment to democracy and the rule of law could last only as long as he guaranteed his power “.
Manmohan singh
Then the Indian Prime Minister: “A kind economist, speaking in a low voice, in his seventies, with a white beard and a turban which were the hallmarks of his Sikh faith but which, in the eyes of Westerners, made him look holy. .. “
“I thought Singh was wise, thoughtful, and scrupulously honest.”
Hu Jintao
Then the Chinese president: “Whatever the topic, he enjoyed reading from a thick pile of prepared statements, pausing from time to time for English translations that seemed to have been prepared in advance and, in some ways, lasted longer and longer. . compared to your original statement (….) I have been tempted, more than once, to suggest that we could save each other time if we change roles and read them as we please. “
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