A group of nations seems uncomfortable with U.S. plans to put a missile-defense system in Eastern Europe, and China is among them. Yesterday, the Associated Press reported the following:
"The leaders of Russia, China and Iran said Thursday that Central Asia should be left alone to manage its stability and security -- an apparent warning to the United States to avoid interfering in the strategic, resource-rich region.
"The veiled warning came at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization [SCO] and on the eve of major war games between Russia and China.
"The SCO was created 11 years ago to address religious extremism and border security in Central Asia, but in recent years, with countries such as Iran signing on as observers, it has grown into a bloc aimed at defying U.S. interests in the region.
"'Stability and security in Central Asia are best ensured primarily through efforts taken by the nations of the region on the basis of the existing regional associations,' the leaders said in a statement at the end of the organization's summit" (Washington Post)
That does sound like a warning, but it doesn't seem particularly veiled.
President Bush never has seemed particularly interested in how our nation is regarded by others in the world. In fact, he has acted as though diplomacy and negotiations are for sissies.
Now that China is speaking, Bush may end up having to listen. Reportedly, our military is stretched thin, which may be why President Bush threatened to veto a mandatory resting period for troops after they come home and before they get re-deployed (BN-Politics).
China may not have troop-strength problems, given that its estimated population is more than 1.3 billion -- about four times the U.S. population.
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