Doesn’t Anybody in Asia Have Kind Words for U.S.?

JAPAN

“When compared with Europe, Asia continues to be something like ‘broccoli’ for a large number of Americans. Though aware of its rich nutritional value, many shy away from even tasting the vegetable.”

--Mainichi Shimbun editorial on President Bush’s decision to postpone his trip to Asia

“Japan is not a country where foreigners can live comfortably in society.”

--Daily Yomiuri on rising crime by foreigners

“Lukewarm might be the most pleasant state. . . . (But) we should resolve to enter the bath no matter whether it’s hot or cold.”

--Japanese politician on need for reform in his country

THAILAND

“Why should we live under U.S. rules? Can we afford to be their slave?”

--Reaction of Gen. Suchinda Kraprayoon, Thai coup leader, to Bush’s call for an early election

“(James A.) Baker’s achievement in convening the Madrid meeting is to be congratulated, but it is important to remember that beginning a meeting is the easy part. Ending it in success is the hard part.

--Bangkok Post editorial on convening Middle East peace conference

“Whatever officials from Hong Kong or other countries in the region may have told them, Vietnamese in (refugee) camps have seen the Americans as their ultimate saviors.”

--Bangkok Post editorial on U.S. objections to repatriation

SINGAPORE

“The West needs to draw from the East to reinvigorate itself.”

--George Yeo, Singapore’s Minister for Information and Arts

“Bows and smiles look subservient to Westerners, but in Eastern societies these are traditional manners. So are diffident looks and hesitant speech. The uninitiated person from the West is in for a shock if he reads these as signs of weakness and lack of confidence.”

--Columnist in Straits Times

TAIWAN

“The old men in Beijing know very well that Americans are a people who lack patience and easily forget what they set out to do. . . . Bush eventually forgot his words (about Tian An Men) and scrapped his own sanctions by sending Baker to Beijing.”

--Columnist in China Times

“Beijing’s leaders, masters of disinformation and misinformation, should be able to understand the propaganda potential in shifting the blame for (America’s unemployed workers) to a communist regime accused of slave labor to undercut prices.”

--China News editorial on what Baker should have said in Beijing

HONG KONG

“It is really deceiving the boat people. The American Consulate should make a very clear statement that if the boat people don’t go home, they will have no hope of going to America.”

--Legislative Councilor Elsie Tu, in South China Morning Post

“The sight of tanks in Tian An Men Square appalled Americans because it was seen on television, while killings in Lhasa and Rangoon happened out of sight of the cameras, and so evoked less response.

--South China Morning Post editorial on Baker visit to China

MALAYSIA

“In international diplomacy, might is right.”

--Prime Minister Mahatir on U.S. opposition to Malaysia’s proposal for an East Asian Economic Group