U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who broke his leg in a cycling accident this week, flew home to Boston from Geneva in a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane designed to carry 100 soldiers.
The Secretary of State is one of the most important individuals in the American government. He is leading negotiations with Iran for an agreement on how to supervise its nuclear program without allowing it to gain access to a nuclear bomb.
He obviously needs rest and treatment for his broken leg, but was it necessary to order a special fight in a military transport plane? After all, a broken leg is not exactly a life-threatening injury.
The State Dept. told The Washington Post that the C-17 transport plane, which is the Air Forces’ primary aircraft for global transport of troops and equipment, was carrying “military medical personnel in keeping with standard practice.”
Kerry landed safely in Boston and is being treated at Massachusetts General Hospital.
If you think that we will get by without Kerry in the talks with Iran, making peace for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and leading the anti-Islamic State (ISIS) initiative, forget it.
State Dept. spokeswoman Marie Hard told reports Monday:
The Secretary’s made a number of calls to his counterparts today, including to the French foreign minister and the Spanish foreign minister…and also to Foreign Minister Fabius, of course, expressing his regret that we won’t be at – he won’t be at the anti-ISIL meeting tomorrow. He will, though, be calling – or be remotely participating in the anti-ISIL meeting…..
He also has made a number of calls to White House and State Department officials, including speaking with the President.
The Secretary is committed to pursuing an aggressive recovery schedule….Secretary Kerry’s main focus for the month of June remains squarely on the Iran negotiations. I want to be very clear about this. His injury does not change that. He and the entire team are absolutely committed to the same timetable and are working toward June 30th as the deadline for these talks.