On August 9, the Brazilian newspaper Fohla published a story about Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apparently undiplomatic behavior during his visit to that country on a trade mission.
Canadians had a bit of fun on Twitter with the awkward machine translation from Google.
A Brazilian friend translated the story for me. It’s not as much fun this way, but the meaning is clearer:
Canadian Prime Minister goes to bathroom and comes out only when requirement met
Natuza Nery
Brasilia
Eliane Cantanhêde
Folha columnist
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper put Brazilian diplomats in a difficult (embarrassing) position this Monday, demanding a change in the Brazilian diplomatic protocol and only accepted to come out for lunch after his request had been accepted.
The official speeches and toasts can take place before or after lunch. Dilma (Rouseff, Brazil’s president) prefers to have these after lunch, so this is what is being done during her presidency. But Harper was adamant that it should take place before lunch. He did not explain why.
Harper had already irked Dilma’s advisors and diplomats when he announced that he wished to speak to journalists at the Palacio do Planalto (the Presidential Palace) when the protocol is generally that foreign dignitaries talk to the press at the Itamaraty (the Foreign Affairs palace).
Since Brazilian diplomats denied his request to speak to the press at the Presidential palace, Harper was already in a bad mood when he arrived for lunch. He demanded the shift in protocol at the lunch event, and locked himself in the private bathroom of ministro Antonio Patriota (Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister) while he waited for a reply.
Brazilian diplomats were taken aback and did not know what to do – if they should listen to Dilma’s request or to Harper. Harper arrived at the room (in the Foreign Affairs ministry) where the lunch was taking place only when Brazilian diplomats confirmed that the speeches and toasts would take place before lunch, as he had demanded.
The Canadian Embassy in Brasilia does not confirm this version of events, but the Folha has confirmed with diplomats present at the event.
Centre Block 
Well, that’s one way to flush all diplomatic good will down the toilet!
I always thought that an important part of protocol was being nice to your guest; however, an equally important part is being nice to your host, too. When in Rome…
he knows about as much about protocol as his hero Geo W……….
Is Harper planning on being the President of the Global Government? Dictating to Canadians and now to Brazilians, who’s next ?
Apparently, yes. Harper really enjoys being a dictator and doesn’t understand the word “democracy”. I dislike Harper as my prime minister, but I do like Dilma as my president. I’m both brasilian and canadian, so I find this whole story very amusing… 😀
Move back to where you came from.
You don’t like it here – Goodbye!
Pingback: Min Reyes - my world in colors & words
I understand Harper on this one. It’s an old ‘brain washing’ trick. When people’s blood sugar is low, they are more susceptible to suggestion, hence many “religious communes” having diets high in carbs and low in proteins. Harper’s ‘words of wisdom’ would have more impact if people were a bit hungry so they would be less likely to have their BS! alerts going off while he spoke.
They should have left him locked in there, eaten what was probably a delicious lunch, done their toasts and left. Just ignore the bad behaviour of an obnoxious bully.
Would he have even tried such a nasty bit of behaviour if the President had been a man? Probably not!
Exactly. That’s what I thought too.
Wow Harper is really putting letting the world take a look at the ‘ugly Canadian’. A continual embarrassment on the world stage. What is going on in this man’s head anyway?
Why am I not surprised? Harper is a confirmed narcissist. Most world leaders are, but Harper and Berlusconi of Italy are probably at the top when it comes to this personality disorder.
Good Observation!
some one should just take this guy out behind the barn!!
This is just too funny! I don’t doubt it’s the truth – he is just such a stupid tool!
If she’d promise to just leave Harper holed up in that bathroom forever, that’d clinch my vote for Dilma as President of the Global Government.
JERK!!!
***holes should stay locked in the bathroom
No wonder he won’t let Terry Milewski go with him.
But – perhaps he suffers from IBS – irritable bowel syndrome, and wanted to be able to get out of the room when lunch was over; speeches completed? Have to look at all possible reasons for behaviour.
Otherwise, just being a control freak.
Only thing is that with this retranslated post (thank you) is that we don’t get the hilarious comments in Portuguese/Spanish that were at the end of the original article. I don’t speak either language but I know what infantile looks like in another language.
@Susan – now, did it say ‘infantile’ or ‘imbecile’??? Hmm, guess it doesn’t matter – either/both fit!
Pingback: prairie dog magazine | dog blog
Quick call Dr. Phil on how to deal with a tantrum. Oh wait, that’s for 4 year olds.
Pingback: Bullies like to make shows of their displeasure … « Commotio Populi
People please! I am no fan of Harpers, but have none of you ever recognized a case of the shits when you see it?
what an embarrassingly undiplomatic way to do business, eh?
Wow sure no sign of intelligent life on Maher’s blog.
Susann – speak for yourself!
Harper is an embarrassment to all Canadians!
The harpercrite sure is! and what really pisses me off is that ‘all’ Cdns get labelled the same as himself …… as tho a majority voted for the asshart!
Get a grip Emac – don’t be so damn rude! PPL will think all Cdns are like harpo!
This blog post was picked up by the Washington Post-
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/stephen-harper-locks-himself-in-brazilian-ministers-bathroom-until-he-gets-his-way/2011/08/09/gIQAjzr84I_blog.html?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost
Pingback: Canada's back! - Peace, order and good government, eh?