• Politics

Top 11 Embarrassing Diplomatic Moments

1 minute read

Read next: #LightBoxFF: Mark Peterson on the Power of Social Media and Political Satire

Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa blamed his cold medicine. But Nakagawa must have been doing some serious Robotrippin' before the 2009 G7 meeting in Rome, because the man was all over the place: slurring his words, answering the wrong questions, and — wait a minute, did he just fall asleep?!? Nakagawa denied rumors that he was drunk and instead claimed that a dose of cold medicine, a "sip" of wine, and extreme jet lag led to his incoherence. Whatever the reason, Nakagawa's blunder cost him his job. Upon returning to Tokyo, he resigned on Feb. 17 and was replaced by Minister of the Economy Kaoru Yosano.
Before the 2009 G7 meeting in Rome, Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa was all over the place: slurring his words, answering the wrong questions, and — wait a minute, did he just fall asleep? Though he blamed his cold medicine, the blunder cost him the job. Nakagawa resigned and was replaced by Minister of the Economy Kaoru Yosano. Tiziana Fabi—AFP/Getty Images
Japanese PM Kiichi Miyazawa shakes hands with President George Bush after collapsing during dinner on Jan. 9, 1992.
During a visit to Tokyo in 1992, 41st President George H.W. Bush became violently ill at a dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa, vomiting on the foreign head of state before slumping into an unconscious stupor. His aids passed it off as the flu and a White House spokesperson said, "The President is human." Diana Walker—Time and Life Pictures/Getty Images
The Heads Of States Take Position For The Traditionnal Family Photo During The G8 Summit In Saint Petersburg. On July 16Th, 2006. In Saint Petersbourg, Russia.
At the 2006 G8 Summit, Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair discussed militant group Hezbollah and the U.N.'s inability to mobilize Syria. Which sounds like what world leaders do at these things. But they seem to have forgotten is that these summits are heavily recorded affairs full of microphones and cameras. Bush let it all hang out a bit, even letting a four-letter word slip. Oops? Gilles Bassignac—Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
President George W. Bush speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Jan. 13, 2006 in the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C.
The shoulder rub heard around the world seemed to completely skeeve German Chancellor Angela Merkel out. And can you really blame her? Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty Images
French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) spe
At one of many conferences during the 2007 G8 Summit, then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy apparently arrived late, after a meeting with Vladimir Putin. Perplexingly, Putin is a noted teetotaler; had Sarkozy been drinking for two at lunch? He appeared befuddled, giggly and unsure how to proceed — asking the audience, "Do I answer your questions?" Patrick Kovarik—AFP/Getty Images
Running a country can be very boring work. Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert was famous for falling asleep in public — especially during musical performances — but at least he was never caught on video. Former President Bill Clinton wasn't so lucky. When the bleary-eyed dignitary fell asleep during a 2008 memorial for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his mid-speech nap time was recorded for all the world to see. Love the sudden "I'm awake!" head-jerk, Mr. Clinton. It didn't work for us in our 8 a.m. college classes, and it's not working for you now.
Running a country can be tiring work. Unfortunately for Former President Bill Clinton, when he fell asleep during a 2008 memorial for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his mid-speech nap was recorded for all the world to see. Justin Sullivan—Getty Images
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (R)
Never mind the serious global financial crisis. Gordon Brown will not put his phone on vibrate. Who cares if he's at the annual World Economic Forum at Davos? Fabrice Coffrini—AFP/Getty Images
President Gerald Ford had a particularly amusing knee injury; apparently, it made him fall down. Or at least, that's what he claimed. While visiting Austria in 1975, the President's bum knee gave way and he tumbled down the Air Force One stairs. A few more falls (one was even up the stairs) combined with Chevy Chase's Saturday Night Live pratfall routine, earned the former University of Michigan football star a reputation as a bumbling klutz. Well, at least it's better than no reputation at all.
While visiting Austria in 1975, President Gerald Ford's knee gave way and he tumbled down the Air Force One stairs. A few more falls (one was even up the stairs) combined with Chevy Chase's Saturday Night Live pratfall routine, earned the former University of Michigan football star a reputation as a bumbling klutz. Peter Bregg—AP
Boris Yeltsin
Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin probably boogied more than was necessary, but he amused at least one U.S. President and provided entertainment for all. Alexander Zemlianichenko—AP
Jimmy Carter Passing Honor Guard
Are you from Poland? Then President Jimmy Carter wants to sleep with you. That's what his translator, Steven Seymour, told the then-Communist country during the U.S. President's 1977 visit. Carter said he wanted to learn about the Polish people's desires for the future; Seymour said that Carter desired the Poles. Carter said he was happy to be in Poland; Seymour said he was happy to grasp at Poland's private parts. Carter talked about leaving the U.S. to go on a trip; Seymour said that he had abandoned America forever. Then he spoke Russian — to a nation struggling under the thumb of the Soviet Union. Talk about lost in translation.Bettmann/Corbis
US President Barack Obama (C) and US Fir
Hey, remember when Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called Barack Obama, the first black president of the United States, "tan?" Yep, it really happened.Jewel Samad—AFP/Getty Images

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com