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Hadley On Olympic Games: Bush Has "No Reason Not To Go"
April 13, 2008 11:20 AM
ABC News' Mary Bruce Reports: National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said this morning the president "has no reason not to go" to the Olympic games in Beijing. But Hadley was hesitant to give a definitive response on whether or not Bush will attend the opening ceremonies. "If countries are really concerned about Nepal (sic), we shouldn’t have this sort of non-issue of opening ceremonies or not. They should do the hard work of quiet diplomacy to urge the Chinese government -- in their interest -- to take advantage of this opportunity to do something," Hadley said in a "This Week" appearance.
He went on to say that a boycott of the Olympic games would not be the best avenue for dealing with concerns over human rights. "The way to deal with the issue of Nepal (sic) is not by some -- a statement that you’re not going to the opening ceremonies and say, therefore, I checked the Nepal (sic)box."
Instead, Hadley said the President is opting to pursue a broader diplomatic approach. "What he’s doing on Nepal (sic) is what we think the international community ought to be doing, which is approaching the Chinese privately through diplomatic channels and sending a very firm message of concern for human rights, a concern for what’s happening in Nepal (sic), urging the Chinese government to understand that it is in their interest to reach out to representatives of the Dalai Lama, and to show, while the whole world is watching China, that they are determined to treat their citizens with dignity and respect. There is an opportunity here."
April 13, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (48)
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Stephen Hadley seems not to know the difference between Tibet and Nepal, and no one on this news program corrects him or informs the public of the stupid error. All the "political experts" involved on letting this error through should be greatly embarrassed.
Posted by: Willard Miller | Apr 13, 2008 11:25:36 AM
Does our national security advisor knows that Tibet and Nepal are different? Nepal is an independant country whose Maoists are supported by the Communist Chinese against the democratic forces there. Tibet is a land occupied by force by the Chinese without the consent of its people. USA is willing to sacrifice Tibet to the Chinese for its own political aims which in the long run will prove to be our own downfall. Stephen Hadley repeatedly said Nepal instead of Tibet in his comments and I am surprised that George let him repeat this without correcting him.
Posted by: S.Balakrishnan | Apr 13, 2008 11:30:05 AM
Cannot believe he is the "National Security Advisor", does he not know the difference between Nepal and Tibet.
I saw Fox and there he said Tibet. I guess he is confused between Nepal and Tibet.
We need to emphasize world geography more in schools, I guess.
Posted by: GS | Apr 13, 2008 11:38:57 AM
Brain Fart on the folks under BUSH ADMINISTRATION>>>SHIA SUNNI< ATTACK IRAQ and FORGET Where Al queda is---Afghanistan, 911 terrorists were all SAUDU not Afghanis nor IRAQIS!!!
Posted by: Maha Nagarajan | Apr 13, 2008 11:39:00 AM
No wonder we have a "GREAT FOREIGN POLICY" run by CHENEY and CO.
Absolutely...reality show geography bee Republicans vs Democrats... even my 8th grader know better. Or is it sheer arrogance and 'couldn't care less" attitude??? And he is the "National Security Advisor", isn't there some competency test for this post????
Posted by: Maha Nagarajan | Apr 13, 2008 11:42:32 AM
Of course he should go, after all, he's repeatedly demonstrated himself to be on par with China and ALL totalitarian regimes. Bush is not only a supporter of countries that deny human rights, he's an innovator.
Posted by: JR | Apr 13, 2008 11:42:39 AM
Shame on George that he did not correct Stephen Hadley about the difference between Tibet and Nepal.
Posted by: Thomas Blam | Apr 13, 2008 11:43:34 AM
Nepal is not Tibet. Is this just more shocking incompetence from our "National Security Advisor"?
What does Hadley know? In 1950, China invaded Tibet. Sikkim was invaded by India in 1974. Now, Nepal's King is about to be deposed, possibly leaving Nepal vulnerable. Is Nepal the next independent nation to be sacrificed?
Posted by: PG | Apr 13, 2008 11:56:09 AM
Why should George correct him..who is the National Security Advisor George or Hadley? Isn't he (Hadley) supposed to know what he is talking about????
Posted by: Maha Nagarajan | Apr 13, 2008 11:57:53 AM
This is an administration prone to conflating different things, like Iraq and Al-Qaida, sunni and shia. No wonder they are confused between Nepal and Tibet. Same pattern of not knowing the complexities of the world. Doesn't surprise me at all any more.
Posted by: Prakash | Apr 13, 2008 12:08:14 PM
Shame on Hadley, but double shame on Stephanopolous, why did he not correct Hadley? OUR security is dependent on this man who doesn't even know what country he should be talking about??!!
Posted by: Marcella Werblow | Apr 13, 2008 12:13:34 PM
Shame on Hadley, but double shame on Stephanopolous, why did he not correct Hadley? OUR security is dependent on this man who doesn't even know what country he should be talking about??!!
Posted by: Marcella Werblow | Apr 13, 2008 12:13:40 PM
I believe the Olympic games should go on, and let all the great atheletes from around the globe show off their talents and years of hard work.
HOWEVER, I also believe that the leaders of the world should unite and make a powerful statement to the Chinese government by boycotting the opening ceremonies and embarassing the hosts. All leaders of the freedom-loving-nations, yes I'm talking to you George W Bush, have a GREAT reason not to go to the opening ceremony. This will speak louder than ever on behalf of all those who cannot speak on their behalf, such as people of Sudan and China itself.
By the way, Mr. Hadley, the China I'm referring to is the big one, NOT Taiwan, just in case you are confused.
Posted by: SRC | Apr 13, 2008 12:26:40 PM
On another note, the only American politician who pronounces Pakistan correctly seems to be Barack. Senstivity to small things goes a long way!
Posted by: Maha Nagarajan | Apr 13, 2008 12:27:43 PM
I sat watching this with my mouth hanging open. Sure, Stephanopoulos should have corrected him and should be cited for dozing at the wheel, and yeah Mr. Hadley had just finished listening to President Carter talk about Nepal. But if I - some guy eating his oatmeal half-asleep on a Sunday morning - immediately experiences cognitive dissonance upon hearing the name "Nepal" come up in reference to the Olympics, surely a National Security Advisor acting as spokesmodel for the U.S. government (and being careful not to say anything about the president's sports-watching itinerary) should be able to keep straight what country he's supposedly concerned about.
Posted by: Todd VerBeek | Apr 13, 2008 12:44:07 PM
Mr Hadley, National Security Adviser does not know the difference between Nepal and Tibet. No wonder the foriegn policy of Mr. Bush is so chaotic, where the top Government Officals do not even have the general knowledge.
Posted by: Kamal Bhatia | Apr 13, 2008 12:49:58 PM
Hey Stephanopoulos, I guess you promised the white house this was only photo oppertunity and not a real interview. That's the only reason I that you would let Hadley make the same mistake 4 or 5 times without a correction? Or, are you trying for Larry King's job?
Posted by: jimh | Apr 13, 2008 12:55:18 PM
It is the start of a new world! A world where we (USA) are a state of the China Empire! It is true. Even a General slipped and started to talk about it. We will not stop China for one reason only. We (USA) can't. Our government knows it. We are becoming too economically dependent on China. It is all about the corporation making money. While we lose our nationalism. It is too late. All, the master plan. Of one world Government. Problem is. U.S. corporations thought they would be in charge. Tibet, Nepal, Taiwan & Mongolia Etc.. U.S.A. will do nothing. Until we get someone Like Roosevelt who is scared of nothing. Start making things in America again. Then cut them (China) off!!! Until they give up on global dominance! To understand that is our job!!!!!
Posted by: SoCal | Apr 13, 2008 1:03:11 PM
Wow, Powerful stuff, SoCal. I agree. Stop China. Build in U.S.A. For one reason only. self preservation! We as a nation. Are in a critical time in history. Do we live for today (lower prices @ Walmart). Or do we preserve our future as a sovereign nation? It might sound crazy now. But, in a few years. You will look back at this moment in time. When we still could talk about it!!!!!!!
Posted by: Sherry | Apr 13, 2008 1:10:08 PM
I believe it is too late! China is too powerful for us. Unless we are willing to go nuclear. But we are talking about economical takeovers. A war of power. Not of military. Because this kind of takeover. Comes slowly, So slow. We notice it. When we allow, a nother nation to protect our cities. Oops, we did that already. Katrina & Mexico. Remember? Ouch! It Is, Too late!!!!!
Posted by: Rick | Apr 13, 2008 1:15:30 PM
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