US President George W. Bush has a reputation for mangling the English language — a problem that has fed eight years of comedian routines and newspaper columnist copy.
Now, in an interview held with Beijing’s official media organizations, he reached new lows in incomprehensibility in explaining his administration’s relations with Taiwan.
In the interview, which he held in Washington with the People’s Daily and the Central China Television network on the eve of his trip to Beijing to attend the opening of the Olympic Games, Bush volunteered answers about Taiwan, even if he wasn’t asked.
Consider this answer in response to a question about what had “surprised” him about Chinese leaders over the past eight years.
“I would say that there’s been a … it’s just been interesting to watch I would say that there’s been a — it’s just been interesting to watch, and interesting to participate with people. I mean, the Taiwan issue was a very touchy issue for a while, causing me to say in the Oval Office — that which is now well-chronicled — that the United States does not support a unilateral declaration of independence. Because I wanted to make sure that our message was clear, but also that the relationship was in a way not our relationship, but other’s relationship with China was in a way that it could evolve peacefully and constructively,” the president said.
At another point, Bush was asked another question and segued to Taiwan.
“My only point to you is, is that — or the Taiwan-Chinese relationship and that issue. It’s a very sensitive issue for the Chinese government. And people who study this very closely will see that the issue is in a better place. And I made it abundantly clear that there was some red lines for the United States on this issue, that there would be no unilateral declaration of independence, that our policy was still the same. It’s very important for the president to be very consistent,” he said.
The transcript was provided by the White House after its general publication was held up until the Chinese media could air — and presumably edit — it.
The interview has already run into criticism in Washington, including in a prominent Washington Post story, which noted that it came as Bush runs into a buzz saw of static over his intention to attend the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing and his lack of criticism of China’s human rights crackdown ahead of the Games.
Meanwhile, supporters of Taiwan are now circulating the quotes via e-mail and scratching their heads over what he actually meant.
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