I said yesterday that Pakistani premier Gilani, after his efusive "FRANCE" (Friendship Remains And Never Can End) speech ahead of his visit to China, was sure to receive a warm panda bear hug from his hosts upon arrival. Sure enough.
Returning the compliments, Chinese premier Wen Jiabao said: "I wish to stress here that no matter what changes might take place in the international landscape, China and Pakistan will remain forever (emphasis mine) good neighbours, good friends, good partners and good brothers."
Shucks, why must analysts spoil all this warm-fuzzy feel-good impression for us with their cynical comments? Here's one such (American, it must be admitted) spoilsport, Michael Green, a top Asia adviser to former US President George W. Bush: "Pakistan will avoid entrapment in either the US [camp] or [the] Chinese camp, and much of this is about subtle warnings to the United States not to pressure Islamabad too hard."
As they say, follow the money. See this link below for how much US aid to Pakistan is being proposed for FY2012:
http://www.foxnews.com/topics/us-aid-to-pakistan-fy2012-request.htm
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My other item today is a brief reference to the online buzz (mostly critical) about PM Lee's conferring the title of Emeritus Senior Minister on Mr Goh Chok Tong. Presumably GCT has accepted it. The PM did say that Mr Lee Kuan Yew was asked if he would like the title of Emeritus Minister Mentor but he had declined it. To be frank, I think that was a wiser decision.
The "emeritus" thing has already started to be ridiculed online, with one wag asking if there will be an "Emeritus President" next and another cheeky fella making emeritus into an acronym starting with "Expired Minister..."
I think my late brother Tee Chuan had the right "spin" when he went into retirement. He printed name cards for himself with the title, "Retiree at large". Now that's classy.
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