John Kerry

[lostinblue 1,989]

John Kerry praises work of US diplomats in Kyrzakhstan (a country which doesn't exist)

By Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor

PUBLISHED: 12:16 EST, 25 February 2013

As the United States' global representative, John Kerry is expected to have a firm grasp on geography.

But during his first major speech as the new US secretary of state, it seems he invented a whole new country: Kyrzakhstan.

The gaffe emerged as he arrived in London for the first leg of an 11-day tour of Europe and the Middle East, making his debut in his new job.

US Secretary of State John Kerry appeared to make up a country 'Kyrzakhstan' during his speech last week

Speaking at the University of Virginia, Mr Kerry praised State employees who work in dangerous parts of the world and 'support democratic institutions in Kyrzakhstan'. Except the country does not exist.

Mr Kerry, who became Secretary of State on February 1, was actually referring to Kyrgyzstan, which he appeared to merge with its wealthier neighbour, Kazakhstan.

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His blushes were spared by the State Department's official record of the speech, given last Wednesday, when it corrected the name of the country to Kazakhstan.

Diplomats in London believe it is a major coup that John Kerry chose Britain for his first overseas trip as US Secretary of State to hold talks with PM David Cameron

The two men discusses Syria, the Middle East Peace process and US-EU trade, but did not raise the prospect of Britain leaving the European Union

Mr Cameron became the first world leader to meet with Mr Kerry since his appointment, at the start of an 11-day tour of Europe and the Middle East.

At a meeting in Downing Street the two men discussed a new transatlantic trade deal between the US and the EU, before touching on Syria, the Arab Spring and the Middle East Peace Process.

Mr Kerry’s decision to use his first foreign trip since replacing Hillary Clinton to visit London is being seen as significant. Mrs Clinton travelled first to Asia after taking office.

Mr Kerry said: 'This is no accident that this is the first stop of my trip as Secretary of State.'

Officials said the decision to start the trip in Europe starting ‘underscores the degree to which we have common interests and values with our key European partners, the degree to which we work so closely together in meeting the enormous challenges that we both face around the world’.

But it comes after transatlantic relations were strained when President Barack Obama and other senior American figures warned against Britain leaving the European Union.

Downing Street said that Mr Kerry did not raise the issue of Britain's possible exit from the European Union as a result of the referendum promised by Mr Cameron during the next Parliament.

But ahead of the talks, a senior state department official said: ‘The President himself addressed it in saying that we support a strong UK voice in a strong European Union.

‘And if asked, the Secretary will repeat that position. It’s our interest, and we’ve made that clear.’

US Secretary of State John Kerry appeared alongside British Foreign Secretary William Hague at a press conference today, where he insisted America's position on the Falkands was unchanged

At a press conference in the Foreign Office, standing alongside Mr Hague, Mr Kerry insisted the US position on the Falklands had not changed.

'We continue to urge a peaceful resolution of this critical issue. Let me be very clear about our position with respect to the Falklands, which I believe is clear.

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'First of all, I’m not going to comment, nor is the President, on a referendum that has yet to take place, hasn’t taken place.

'Our position on the Falklands has not changed. The United States recognises de facto UK administration of the islands but takes no position on the question of parties’ sovereignty claims thereto.

'We support co-operation between UK and Argentina on practical matters

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2284320/John-Kerry-praises-work-US-diplomats-Kyrzakhstan-country-doesnt-exist.html#ixzz2Lyjz5LT4

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[Ban Hammer 13,570]

at least he didn't call them ketchupistan, that heinz lover.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

If it is an FSU country, the women are HOT!

He is such a lightweight! AlGore invented the internet AND global warming!

It is ironic that AlGore is the one that is unemployed!

Edited February 26, 2013 by Gary and Alla

[lostinblue 1,989]

Will Kerry get palined Saturday Night Live . Perhaps it is a country where he is docking his family's yacht allowing him to avoid paying more taxes when he decides to buy a new one. I can see Kyrzakhstan off the starboard bow...

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Will Kerry get palined Saturday Night Live . Perhaps it is a country where he is docking his family's yacht allowing him to avoid paying more taxes when he decides to buy a new one. I can see Kyrzakhstan off the starboard bow...

Palin didn't get the SNL treatment for one slip up. She was an endless supply of them.

But sure, if it makes you feel better, we can pretend this one comment from John Kerry is equal to the countless incidents involving Palin. Anything to make you sleep better at night. So weird..

Edited February 26, 2013 by Evylin

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Messing up names of foreign countries and their leaders is an old American tradition. Kerry is merely taking his turn carrying that torch. His predecessor referred - in 2008 - to then Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev as and I quote: "Meh, uh, Me-ned-vadah — whatever."

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Messing up names of foreign countries and their leaders is an old American tradition. Kerry is merely taking his turn carrying that torch. His predecessor referred - in 2008 - to then Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev as and I quote: "Meh, uh, Me-ned-vadah — whatever."

not true. everyone knows republicans have superior intelligence to democrats and never, ever flub anything up.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

not true. everyone knows republicans have superior intelligence to democrats and never, ever flub anything up.

Oh, how the worm turns!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Oh, how the worm turns!

it turns and it turns!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Palin didn't get the SNL treatment for one slip up. She was an endless supply of them.

But sure, if it makes you feel better, we can pretend this one comment from John Kerry is equal to the countless incidents involving Palin. Anything to make you sleep better at night. So weird..

Why do Democrats hate women so much? They toss Hillary from the Presidency when they had the chance, for a far less experienced MAN, trash Palin whenever they can (she is just a hockey mom now as I recall) and threw out two women as Secretary of State and replaced them with...Swift Boat Kerry

Hillary's only chance to ever be President is to switch parties!

[Novembro 1,763]

Kyrzakhstan.

I bet that place is awesome.

[Novembro 1,763]

Why do Democrats hate women so much? They toss Hillary from the Presidency when they had the chance, for a far less experienced MAN, trash Palin whenever they can (she is just a hockey mom now as I recall) and threw out two women as Secretary of State and replaced them with...Swift Boat Kerry

Hillary's only chance to ever be President is to switch parties!

It's because we realize that women belong in the kitchen, obviously.

[Neonred 3,648]

Kyrzakhstan.

I bet that place is awesome.

Nope. My wife was from there. She says it's a dump.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Nope. My wife was from there. She says it's a dump.

Although to be fair, it's probably still a little better of than Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan.