The
outcome of the Hanoi meeting – no agreement, not even a joint final lunch, let
alone a joint statement – should be seen as a reminder that diplomacy is a
complex and lengthy process. It cannot just be reduced to two strong men
meeting together. Moreover, when these men are markedly narcissistic leaders, well
known for their inability to listen to advisors and other common mortals.
President
Trump and Chairman Kim should only meet when all the preparatory work has been
completed and every line of any draft agreement is ready to be blessed. The
negotiations should not be directly and personally undertaken by these two
autocrats. (If you prefer, call them rulers…).
Their
meeting can only take place when there is a landmark to be announced or as a
final step in the process. Then, they sit together, offer all the possible
photo opportunities, and give credibility and trust to the agreement achieved
by their respective negotiators.
The
only problem is that both leaders are unique cases. They only trust their own
judgement like any disastrous strongman we have known in the history books.
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