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在线翻译:
szdaily -> Kaleidoscope -> 
UK’s top diplomatic cat retires
    2020-08-10  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

THE U.K. needs a new top diplocat.

Palmerston, a cat who has served as “Chief Mouser” for the U.K.’s Foreign Office, retired Friday.

“My signature move, pretending to be asleep while overhearing all the foreign dignitaries’ conversations, will be a major loss for our intelligence gathering,” Palmerston wrote in his retirement letter.

“But as I grow older I must take a step back from diplomatic duties and enjoy some me-time.”

Palmerston has been “working” from home because of coronavirus and said he’s finding life much more comfortable in the countryside, though he lamented his inability to catch the King Charles Street mice.

Palmerston is a rescue cat who had pawed around with Foreign Office permanent secretary Simon McDonald since 2016.

As cats are wont to do, he often had beef with Larry the Cat, the mouser at the prime minister’s No. 10 Downing Street residence.

The two were sometimes seen fighting in the street outside the British prime minister’s home.

The letter from Palmerston, or @DiploMog’ as he is known on Twitter, said his service showed that “even those with four legs and fur have an important part to play in the U.K.’s global effort.”

“I have been delighted to meet representatives from all over the world, and I hope I have done you proud in putting the U.K.’s best foot or paw forward in such interaction,’’ the letter said.

Various diplomats wished Palmerston the best in the kitty countryside, including Jon Downing who shared the story of when Palmerston “left us a slightly chewed dead mouse next to my desk in @UKDipAcademy once, and we were of course not very grateful.”

No word on if there is a retirement benefits clawse in Palmerston’s contract.

His colleagues said he would be missed.

Jon Benjamin, director of the department’s Diplomatic Academy, wished him a “very happy retirement.’’

(SD-Agencies)

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