A senior State Department official, briefing reporters about Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s meeting with Egyptian President Morsi: “It began with the Secretary thanking the President for the security that was provided to our Embassy. We all understand that in the first hours, as the Egyptians themselves have said, it may have been a little slow, but indeed quite quickly Egypt provided to our Embassy and has continued to provide to our Embassy quite professional and quite effective security.”

Ah, those diplomatic euphemisms. This is what “a little slow” looks like:

Yes, we offer you effusive gratitude, President Morsi, for eventually meeting your basic obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.