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False Start During Bush's Middle East Trip
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ShareJanuary 10, 2008 7:12 AM
ABC News' Stephanie Smith and Ann Compton Report: President Bush's press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah got off to a shaky start.
As Mr. Abbas -- who is fluent in English but prefers to speak in Arabic -- began his opening statement following one-on-one meetings with Mr. Bush, the translator was no where to be heard.
Traditionally, host leaders make an opening statement usually in their native language, but on occasion in English. Abbas spoke for about 50 seconds in Arabic and then paused for the translator. When the room went silent, President Bush said, "I haven't got it yet. you may have to do it over."
That remark was greeted with laughter from the audience of journalists, Palestinian and U.S. officials.
Technical glitch still unresolved, Bush tells Abbas, "Not yet" to which Abbas replies, "Not yet" in English. More laughter from the befuddled audience. After another 15 seconds elapses, a woman's voice -- presumably the translator -- is heard: "Hello? testing one, two three, testing one two three." Abbas, assuming the problem has been resolved begins his statement again. No translation. Bush responds, "I agree completely." More laughter. Finally, the situation is resolved.
When Bush began his opening statement, he wanted to make sure the translation device was working to translate his English to Arabic. "Is it working?" he jokingly asked. "Listen, they say I have enough problems speaking English as it."
A White House aide also brought Bush a new translation device but that apparently wasn't the problem. Many of the reporters went through the entire press conference unable to hear a translation of Abbas.
The press availability came to a quick end when it was interrupted by a call to prayer.
Visits abroad by U.S. presidents most always go off without a hitch. Host countries take great pride in presenting a well-coordinated visit. Todays mishap was rare, but added a little levity to the second day of a trip with a lofty goal as the president tries to advance Mideast peace on his eight-day trip to Israel, the West Bank and other moderate Arab countries.
January 10, 2008 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (15)
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Bush doesn't do very well speaking English, but he has no problem with gibberish! The reason it took so long for him to travel to the Middle East is that he couldn't find it on a map. Someone finally told him that it was a 'region' that various countries are located in. When he finally found them on a map he decided he could go there.
Posted by: Bob | Jan 10, 2008 9:08:34 AM
Cute story, which will result in probably several hundred people on this comment-board blasting Bush for whatever reason.
Posted by: coloradorocket123 | Jan 10, 2008 9:26:04 AM
Can you say "omen"? I knew you could...
Posted by: Sean O'Brien | Jan 10, 2008 9:27:51 AM
More proof that Bush is the worst President ever! Born with a silver spoon in his mouth,he never worked a day in his life and Bush went awol skirting his guard meetings.His supporters are the most gullible,unthinking Americans ever. Most Americans share my views,the few losers who still follow Bush will never get it. Bush has done great harm to our economy,and made us weaker not stronger. Bush has ruled on fearmongering,and for a few they have bought it hook line and sinker.
Posted by: AJ | Jan 10, 2008 9:45:58 AM
GWB is the only one who thinks his stupidity is funny. Americans that can't go to the hospital when they are sick, Americans losing their homes, Americans losing their jobs, small American businesses going under, none of those Americans think he is funny at all. They think he is the worst thing that ever happened to America and the world for that matter. Just think how many bad things have happened since he stole office - he is a loser and he made America a loser in the process.
Posted by: Ron | Jan 10, 2008 2:14:05 PM
Hey daddblue...
You are so miss guided, and I like the way you probably believe all you write. I'd VOTE for President Bush again, because I like what he and his administration has done with our nation. I also like the direction this fine country has gone as far a the Economy and the Employment conditions. I do know that he is not running for President and I also know that nobody can have three elected terms in the Presidential office - yes I know this too -
If you need a reminder about your fault thinking, here is your list of talking points again...Oh by the way, don't let the facts improve your mental state.. - -You wrote- - More proof that Bush is the worst President ever! Born with a silver spoon in his mouth,he never worked a day in his life and Bush went awol skirting his guard meetings.His supporters are the most gullible,unthinking Americans ever. Most Americans share my views,the few losers who still follow Bush will never get it. Bush has done great harm to our economy,and made us weaker not stronger. Bush has ruled on fearmongering,and for a few they have bought it hook line and sinker. - let me guess, Are voting for Ron Paul?
Posted by: rooofer | Jan 10, 2008 3:01:35 PM
For once, it wasn't W's fault. A miracle. Well at least he didn't throw up on the guy.
Posted by: sop | Jan 10, 2008 4:00:49 PM
Bush is the rubbish the voters dragged into the White House,not once but twice. How intelligent can American voters be? you tell me!
Posted by: Enceef | Jan 10, 2008 7:53:21 PM
how anyone can support Bushbaby is beyond me. He lost the first election and usurped power using some extremely shifty legal wrangling and then had to go to war, like Thatcher for her second term in the UK, to keep the Presidency. He surely is the only person who finds his stupidity funny and nothing but an interntional embarrasment as a leader.
Posted by: ben | Jan 11, 2008 8:49:28 AM
how anyone can support Bushbaby is beyond me. He lost the first election and usurped power using some extremely shifty legal wrangling and then had to go to war, like Thatcher for her second term in the UK, to keep the Presidency. He surely is the only person who finds his stupidity funny and nothing but an interntional embarrasment as a leader.
Posted by: ben | Jan 11, 2008 8:49:37 AM
abc supported the bushbaby on-air many times and a student of their spiel would know how good a job they did...thank you abc...what more could you do for us????
Posted by: daddyblue | Jan 11, 2008 9:35:19 AM
While only a 5 yard penalty, the BUSH false start is the correct call. He was frozen in place for 2 terms letting the PROCESS die as far as he and Condi were concerned, so the jittery movement seen here now resulting in the FALSE START was quite correct.
Posted by: daddyblue | Jan 11, 2008 5:13:36 PM
Bush and his whole "Republican Guard" are a FALSE START...He is a total embarrasment to this country.
Posted by: Joe MUrphy | Jan 11, 2008 10:47:45 PM
Like I said here before most people I hear these days you keep your enemies close to you and they find all they want about you, don't just close your eye's keep your ears open and you mind and watch who you talk to
Posted by: Gloria | Jan 12, 2008 3:51:35 PM
Hi. Good story. I like experiments.
God bless you always.
Posted by: Green men | Mar 10, 2009 8:54:03 AM
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