CANNES, France (Reuters) - Time was when U.S. presidents stood in the centre of events at world summits. This week in Cannes, Barack Obama appeared at times a bewildered spectator as European leaders scrambled through a whirlwind of meetings called to bring Greece to heel and save the euro currency.
Where the U.S. President would traditionally be the last to arrive at a gathering, there was Obama on Friday morning, one of the first at the Palais des Festivals, chatting with the other leaders as they trickled into the lobby. Only when German Chancellor Angela Merkel crossed the threshold did he break off, hoping perhaps for news of the latest conclave or consultation.