Politico‘s Laura Rozen posted a hilarious exchange of notes between the Communication Czars at the UK Embassy in DC and the US Embassy in the UK.
Apparently, US Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s Louis Susman (boy he looks glum in his official photo) and UK Ambassador to the US Nigel Sheinwald have a “steak dinner” bet on the outcome of the British-American soccer hookup in South Africa.
Best line came from Sheinwald’s PR director in response to his American counterpart in London:
Incidentally, you should know that the Ambassador [Sheinwald] takes his steak like American soccer victories – somewhat rare.
These soccer things really do get folks riled up it seems (I don’t understand it), but after having just flown from DC to Doha to Tokyo — and now back to DC, a lot of my Japanese acquaintances kept reciting how Japan lost its national honor in Doha. In fact, they call their qualification match loss to an Iraq team “The Agony of Doha.”
We’ll see whether the Brits or Americans get their own version of the agony
From Rozen’s report:
From: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London
To: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC
Subject: World Cup Bet
Mr. Longden,
It has not escaped our attention that a certain sporting event is fast approaching, and that our respective nations will soon be meeting on the fields of South Africa. My Ambassador has asked me to see if your Ambassador might be interested in a small wager? We will understand if you decline, given the outcome of the last such encounter.
Sincerely, Philip Breeden, U.S. Embassy, London
________________________________
From: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC
To: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London
Subject: Re: World Cup Bet
Mr. Breeden,
Even for such an exceptionally optimistic nation as the United States, I am struck by the confidence with which your Ambassador proposes this wager. It is testament, I assume, to the generosity of your great nation – since the British Ambassador does not anticipate paying out.
Your email does not specify the exact terms of the wager. May I suggest that, in the event of an England victory, the US Ambassador agrees to entertain the British Ambassador at a steak-house of his choosing in downtown DC? And in the event that the United States is able to engineer a fortuitous win over England, then my man will entertain yours at a London pub of his choosing. Loser pays.
Your reference to a previous sporting encounter between our two countries puzzles me. Since the history of English football is long and extensive, in contradistinction to US soccer, I regret that I cannot immediately recall the encounter to which you refer. No doubt it is remembered fondly on these shores; we have quite forgotten it, however.
Are you sure you want to do this?
Yours sincerely,
Martin Longden
British Embassy Washington DC
________________________________
From: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London
To: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC
Subject: Re: World Cup Bet
Mr. Longden,
It is with great pleasure, and no small measure of anticipation, that the U.S. Ambassador accepts the terms of the wager. I am surprised, given the well known love of the British for history, that you have forgotten what happened the last time the “special relationship” was tested on the pitch. Of course, given the result, you are to be forgiven for having misplaced that particular episode in your memory banks. I refer of course to the victory of the U.S. over England in the 1950 World Cup.
It is true that our soccer (a fine English word we have kindly preserved for you) history is not as long and illustrious as yours. However, as your generals noted during WWII, we have a unique capability for quickly identifying and advancing talent.
Game on!
Sincerely, Philip Breeden
________________________________
From: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC
To: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London
Subject: Re: World Cup Bet
Mr. Breeden,
Very well; it’s a bet!
Incidentally, you should know that the Ambassador takes his steak like American soccer victories – somewhat rare.
Sincerely,
Martin Longden
While this was fun, don’t count on too much soccer coverage at The Washington Note.
— Steve Clemons
Editor’s Note: hat tip to Daniel Lippman.
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