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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 17-Sep-2010
17-Sep-10 News -- Furious Sarkozy tirade at EU meeting over Roma Gypsies

Web Log - September, 2010

17-Sep-10 News -- Furious Sarkozy tirade at EU meeting over Roma Gypsies

Saturday is anniversary of Japan's invasion of Manchuria on September 18, 1931

Furious Nicolas Sarkozy launches tirade at EU meeting

France's president Nicolas Sarkozy launched a furious "violent" tirade against European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso over the issue of Roma expulsions from France. The confrontation took place behind closed doors, but it was loud enough to be heard through the walls.

The fury was triggered by the accusation, as I reported two days ago, by the EU Justice Commission that France's expulsions of Roma Gypsies was comparable to Nazi atrocities in the 1930s.

In the tirade, Sarkozy said that he was "defending the honor of France," according to the EU Observer.

Later, when speaking to the press, he said I am the head of the French state. I cannot let my country be insulted."

He added that the expulsion policy will continue.

Barroso, on the other hand, insisted that an investigation of France's policies will continue, with the possibility that the EU will take legal action against France.

Drunken Chinese diplomat rants against Americans

Another undiplomatic tirade occurred this week. This was by the Chinese diplomat Sha Zukang, at a retreat for top UN officials.

According to the Telegraph, Sha's drunken rant continued for 15 minutes, but seemed like an eternity.

Speaking to the Ban Ki-moon, Sha said, "I know you never liked me Mr. Secretary-General – well, I never liked you, either, You've been trying to get rid of me. You can fire me anytime, you can fire me today."

Later in the same rant, Sha turned to the American diplomat, Bob Orr, and said, "I really don't like him: he's an American and I really don't like Americans."

Sha is the same diplomat that I quoted in 2006. (See "Furious Chinese ambassador harshly threatens U.S. over Taiwan.")

At that time, Sha was being interviewed by the BBC, and he furiously and harshly threatened the U.S. over Taiwan. He was literally screaming in an interview with a BBC reporter:

"The moment that Taiwan declares independence, supported by whomever, China will have no choice but to [use] whatever means available to my government. Nobody should have any illusions on that. ...

It's not a matter of how big Taiwan is, but for China, one INCH of the territory is more valuable than the LIVES of our people."

[With regard to the U.S.'s constant criticism of China's rapid militarization:] It's better for the U.S. to shut up, keep quiet. That's much, much better. China's population is 6 times or 5 times the United States. Why blame China? No. forget it. It's high time to shut up. It's a nation's sovereign right to do what is good for them. But don't tell us what's good for China. Thank you very much."

Sha must be a real party guy.

Taiwan to develop and deploy cruise missiles targeting China

Taiwan made an announcement on Thursday that may have some relevance to the 2006 rant by Sha Zukang just described.

Taiwan will develop its own cruise missiles, capable of striking targets in mainland China, according to VOA.

Taiwan has a long way to go to catch up with the mainland Chinese, however, who have over 1,000 missiles pointed at Taiwan.

According to a recent Pentagon report (see "23-Aug-10 News -- China is ready for war"), there are seven "red lines" which, if crossed, would lead to a Chinese military attack on Taiwan:

Formal declaration of Taiwan independence;
Undefined moves toward Taiwan independence;
Internal unrest on Taiwan;
Taiwan’s acquisition of nuclear weapons;
Indefinite delays in the resumption of cross-Strait dialogue on unification;
Foreign intervention in Taiwan’s internal affairs; and,
Foreign troops stationed on Taiwan.

Taiwan's development of cruise missiles does not appear to cross any of these red lines, but it will certainly raise tensions.

Additional links

Saturday marks the 79 year anniversary of Japan's invasion of Manchuria on September 18, 1931, which led to 14 years of Japan's bloody occupation of China. However, China appears reluctant to encourage anti-Japanese protests over the matter. CS Monitor

Despite a 17% jump in the price of wheat, expected over the coming weeks, there's no reason to panic, according to the Washington DC-base International Food Policy Research Institution. According to the director, "Apparent similarities between today's rising wheat prices and the food-price crisis of 2007-2008 are just that: apparent, not real. Suggestions to the contrary serve to drive up prices and hurt poor people, who spend much or most of their incomes on food. They need neither jittery markets nor ad hoc protectionism, which has exacerbated past food crises." In other words, he's admitting that he has an agenda for telling people not to worry, which means that he lacks any credibility at all. Asia Sentinel

As Al-Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), headquartered in Yemen, becomes a greater and greater threat to American security, the State Dept. and the Dept. of Defense are deeply divided over the amount of military aid to be given to Yemen to fight the threat. The military wants to provide automatic weapons, coastal patrol boats, transport planes and helicopters, as well as training. Opponents worry that the military aid will cause a backlash that will further destabilize the country's government. NY Times

A new book claims that Carla Bruni once asked Michelle Obama what it was like to be First Lady, and she replied, "It's hell. I can't stand it." Michelle Obama and a Bruni spokesman have both denied the story. AP

Carla Bruni, the wife of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, says that she's uncovered a plot by Sarkozy's ex-sister-in-law to get Bruni kicked out of Élysée palace, and replaced by his first wife. You just can't make this stuff up. Daily Mail

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 17-Sep-10 News -- Furious Sarkozy tirade at EU meeting over Roma Gypsies thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (17-Sep-2010) Permanent Link
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