Three often overlooked keys for a successful mediation
“Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.” That slogan became a rallying cry for Federalists during the XYZ Affair in 1798 . Way back then, France and England were at war. What a surprise. The fledgling United States did not want to choose sides in a war between the reigning heavyweight champs of the world, so it negotiated a neutrality pact with England. Part of the deal permitted British war ships to raid American merchant vessels with goods bound for France, as long as England paid for the goods it seized. I kid you not. That was part of the deal. The French were a wee bit miffed about that arrangement and began to raid American merchant vessels. Hoping to keep the peace, President John Adams sent a diplomatic team to France to negotiate a resolution. The French government refused to meet with the American envoys until certain conditions were met. Among them was a demand that America pay a bribe of $250,000 to the French Foreign Minister. Sacré bleu! Whe...