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A8 WORLD NEWS
Saturday 24 auguSt 2019

Boris Johnson prepares to take his place on world stage

By DANICA KIRKA “Let’s get Brexit done, sen-
Associated Press sibly and pragmatically
LONDON (AP) — British and in the interests of both
Prime Minister Boris John- sides,” Johnson tweeted.
son, who has endeavored “Let’s get on with deep-
to lead his country since ening and intensifying the
he was a boy, will get his friendship and the partner-
first moment on the world ship between our nations.”
stage in his new role at the The markets responded to
Group of Seven summit in the merest glimmer that a
France this weekend. And deal — some sort of deal —
he will be at pains to ensure might still take place. The
it won’t be his last. pound rose $1.22, up from
The man who has said his the week’s low of $1.20.
life’s ambition as a child Smiles only go so far. Back
was to be “world king” in Brussels, EU officials were
could be the shortest-serv- quick to ask what might be
ing prime minister in British offered that had not been
history if he fails in his high- proposed in the past two
stakes gambit to force the years. And while Johnson’s
European Union to reopen team was streaming chum-
Brexit talks. my pictures of his meetings
As Johnson prepares to in France and Germany,
meet with world leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the Elysee both Merkel and Macron
including U.S. President Palace, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Paris. were stressing that the mat-
Donald Trump, at the sea- Associated Press ter was not just up to them.
side resort of Biarritz, oppo- in his Conservative Party, is deeply divided over the that the EU scrap check- Other EU nations also would
nents at home are plotting they could withdraw their nature of its ties to Europe. points and accept that have to agree.
to bring him down with a support if the newly mint- David Cameron resigned technology or other “alter- Johnson and his supporters
no-confidence vote after ed prime minister fails to in June 2016, the day af- native methods” can be claim that one of the most
Parliament returns from its deliver. At the same time, ter Britain narrowly voted used to monitor the border. important benefits of leav-
summer recess next month. opposition leaders claim in favor of leaving the EU. After meeting with Johnson ing the EU is that it will allow
Johnson, 55, who took a no-deal approach is a His successor, Theresa May, this week, German Chan- Britain to negotiate its own
power last month, is bet- reckless policy that will lead was forced to step down cellor Angela Merkel and trade deals with countries,
ting his political future on a to shortages of food, medi- last month after Parliament French President Emmanu- more than offsetting any
promise to lead Britain out cine and fuel, damaging rejected her withdrawal el Macron said they were decline in trade with the
of the EU on Oct. 31, with the economy and hurting deal three times. open to discussing alterna- EU. The biggest prize would
or without an agreement. the country’s poorest peo- The main sticking point in tives but stressed that they be a free-trade agreement
He says the threat of a no- ple. “The calculation for that deal was the so-called considered the backstop with the U.S.
deal Brexit is the only way the Conservative Party still Irish backstop, designed to “indispensable” to ensur- Johnson plans to meet with
to force the EU into making is: Are the electoral con- prevent the return of cus- ing the Irish peace process Trump in Biarritz as he tries to
concessions. sequences of crashing out toms checks on the border and protecting the integrity cement such a deal. Trump
But the G7 summit comes without a deal going to be between the Republic of of the European single mar- tweeted this week that he
at the end of a week when worse than the electoral Ireland and Northern Ire- ket, which allows free trade had already had a “great
Johnson has had to face consequences of not de- land, which is part of the of good and services for discussion” with Johnson.
the reality that the EU isn’t livering Brexit by the 31st of United Kingdom. There are 500 million people. Time is of the essence for
blinking despite his efforts October?” said Tim Bale, a concerns the backstop Johnson left the meetings Johnson. Not only does he
to keep talking up the po- professor of politics at Lon- would keep Britain tied saying France and Ger- have an Oct. 31 deadline,
tential for a no-deal Brexit. don Queen Mary University. to the EU indefinitely and many are “crucial friends but Parliament returns in
That leaves Johnson stuck “It’s a calculation on which threaten the integrity of the and partners of the U.K.,” early September. He clings
in a political vise at home. everything turns.” U.K. because it would treat and spin doctors sought to to power with a majority of
While the no-deal pledge The Brexit battle has al- Northern Ireland differently capitalize on warm recep- one vote. But the final pok-
has helped Johnson win ready claimed two prime from the rest of the country. tions offered by two pivotal er hand has not yet been
the backing of hardliners ministers in a country that Johnson has demanded EU members. played. q

Security squeeze in French resort for

G-7 leaders’ summit

Associated Press the streets are empty. empty for the past two
BIARRITZ, France (AP) — The city center is almost days.
Security is getting tighter in deserted, and the seaside Leaders of the Group of
the southern French beach around the casino where Seven countries arrive on
resort of Biarritz ahead of leaders will meet is under Saturday to discuss issues
the G-7 leaders’ summit lockdown. including the struggling
beginning this weekend. Cars are thoroughly global economy and
The airport and train station checked and tourists can climate change until
are closing down Friday no longer access their usual Monday. They include the
Spanish and French police officers stand guard at the border afternoon and residents haunts. United States, Germany,
between Hendaye and Irun to monitor protestors against the used to bustle at the height Philippe Haguet says the Japan, Britain, France,
G-7 summit in nearby Biarritz, France Friday, Aug. 23, 2019.
Associated Press of summer vacations say gift shop he owns has been Canada and Italy.q