Obama’s G-20 confession: “I take responsibility”

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:35:00 +0000

Something was missing and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi wasn't about to accept it. For the past four hours, the heads of state and government of the world's leading countries had squabbled, made amends and reached agreements. They could now go home.

But there was a strange silence during this final phase, the silence of one man. Barack Obama, the president of the United States of America, the most important man at the G-20 summit in London, had remained silent for some time now.

Berlusconi now spoke to him directly: "I would like to extend my congratulations to Barack Obama," he said, adding that the economic crisis had begun in the U.S. "Now he has to address it," he said and looked towards Obama. "We wish him all the best for the citizens of the U.S. and the entire world."

Then everyone turned to the American president. The 18 men and two women were sitting in the drab ExCel Conference Centre, where red bouquets that resembled flower boxes had been placed on the tables. The world's top politicians were waiting for a closing statement.

Salon.com > Christoph Schwennicke

Obama’s G-20 confession: “I take responsibility”