Former President George H.W. Bush was deep in nuclear negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The 1990 talks, focused on an arms control treaty, were suddenly interrupted when a seasoned Soviet interpreter made a critical mistake.
The interpreter, Igor Korchilov, said the word “verifying” in English, instead of “verified.” Everyone in the White House Cabinet Room froze and turned toward him — including his boss.
Gorbachev quickly said: “No, no — I never said that.”
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