Monday, May 10, 2004
CHINA - US COLD WAR HEATS UP
By Tweed
US-Chinese relations have taken a decided turn for the worse this past week, as revelations of abuse in US run prisons in Iraq have surfaced.
Li Zhaoxing, Chinese ambassador to the US, expressed dismay at the US treatment of Iraqi prisoners, noted that such abuse is a clear and decided step by the US away from normal US - Chinese relations. "For years our nations existed with the understanding that we, China, were the super power of prisoner abuse," said Li. "When the Soviet Union fell, we thought the US understood that China had the monopoly."
The US responded quickly, noting that no formal agreement existed on the issue, and that the US had heard no complaints through ordinary diplomatic channels. "We're at a loss," said Scott McLellen, White House press secretary.
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By Tweed
US-Chinese relations have taken a decided turn for the worse this past week, as revelations of abuse in US run prisons in Iraq have surfaced.
Li Zhaoxing, Chinese ambassador to the US, expressed dismay at the US treatment of Iraqi prisoners, noted that such abuse is a clear and decided step by the US away from normal US - Chinese relations. "For years our nations existed with the understanding that we, China, were the super power of prisoner abuse," said Li. "When the Soviet Union fell, we thought the US understood that China had the monopoly."
The US responded quickly, noting that no formal agreement existed on the issue, and that the US had heard no complaints through ordinary diplomatic channels. "We're at a loss," said Scott McLellen, White House press secretary.
