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Headlines : InternationalCheney warns on Chinese build-up
After the humiliation of making a deal with Kim Jong Il last week, the U.S. government is suffering from a serious bout of bruised machismo, hence this attack on Chinese military expansion from the Darth Veep himself, Richard Cheney. Perhaps he feels that by attacking China he can divert the attention of the American right away from his unmanly climb-down over Korean nukes. China has also been taking much of the credit for the North Korea deal leaving U.S. power on the wane in the Asia-Pacific region.
Heading down to Oz for a mutual back rub with John Howard seemed the only rational thing to do. But aside from the personal politics of this attack, a long standing neoconservative desire to confront the rise of China is materializing, prompted by the U.S. failure in Iraq and the shooting down of a satellite by Chinese technology. Quite what Dick intends to do about it, is unclear.
[Posted By Szamko]Republished from BBC News
US Vice-President Dick Cheney has expressed concern over China’s military policies, saying they were at odds with the country’s stated peaceful aims.
On a visit to Australia, he praised China’s role in a nuclear deal with North Korea but criticised its military build-up and anti-satellite tests.
Mr Cheney also thanked Australia for its support for US operations in Iraq.
Australian PM John Howard is facing opposition on the issue, and there have been protests over Mr Cheney’s visit.
The US vice-president commended Chinese leaders for their role in six-party talks with North Korea, which resulted in a landmark agreement on 13 February committing Pyongyang to shut down key nuclear facilities.
Posted by Szamko
Just tries to tell the truth.
Did anyone happen to catch an interview with a certain Chinese diplomat (I really don’t remember his name or function) on NPR several months ago? ...Well, that’s kinda vague… Sorry. Anyway. I bring it up because he was questioned about China’s military build up. He got quite humorously irate, and shouted something like, “America just needs to SHUT UP!” He repeated that several times, and went on further to say that of ALL nations, America had the least right to complain because we have the largest military on Earth, and we aggressively utilize that military. Giving the example of Iraq, and saying that China had no Iraq.
Darth Veep? Is that an original? Mucho gusto.
I’d also love to see that NPR footage. Very funny. Gracias.
The above article goes on to be MUCH more interesting.
OPEN QUOTE
Protesters gathered in Sydney to rally against Mr Cheney’s visit. Three people were arrested during scuffles on Friday, and at least seven were arrested after similar scenes on Thursday.
Australia currently has about 1,450 military personnel based in Iraq or involved in Iraq-related operations.
Mr Howard faces an election battle this year and is under strong domestic pressure to announce a withdrawal of Australian forces.
An opinion poll earlier this week suggested that
more than two-thirds of Australians want Mr Howard to announce a date for withdrawing troops or to order an immediate pull out.
But Mr Howard has instead offered to send an additional 70 military advisers to help train the Iraqi army.
END OF QUOTE
All hail to our companeros in Aussie land. You just keep on kicking butt guys. We’re gonna make it. Ciao Senor Lapdog Howard. Let us not in any way shape of form sanction genocide. Nunca mas! Not for profit, not for pleasure, not for nada.
You guys want to see all the photos from the Aussie Protest, I’m sure. There were 55 last time I looked.
One guy has a sign suggesting that Dick take John hunting. LOL.
I gotta tell ya, those aussie riot cops look pretty chill compared to say Miami or Mexico. Plus our Aussie brethren got dressed up as cops too and did some dancing in the streets.
Has DICK thought of fucking his mother’s corpse in the cold ground? You only heard of countries bolstering their military and defenses AFTER the policy of pre-emptive corporate war-mongering became the languange in Freedom Land. Do these asswipes even think before opening their pie holes?