As in all negotiations with China, the end result was a compromise.
The Chinese are the masters of negotiation. They taught everyone else how to negotiate three thousand years ago. The "trick", if there is a trick, is to understand enough about their tactics so an agreement is reached where both sides do not lose too much face. The Chinese asked for too much, and got what they wanted, which is an eighty million dollar state-of-the-art surveillance aircraft. The United States held the position that they had in the beginning, and will file the proceedings in the "To Be Remembered and Dealt With in the Future" file.
Chinese leaders, like other world leaders, are simply feeling out the new administration for weak spots. It's a game that has been played for centuries.
You know you've lost when you start hearing loud noises from exploding ordnance that was manufactured in the United States. Otherwise, it's just SOS.
The only really interesting thing I saw on the entire subject was an interview on NBC with Jesse Jackson who was yapping about going to China to discuss the situation with Chinese "religious leaders". NBC, it appeared, was not too interested in talking to Jesse about anything else that might have happened in the last few months.
Like Jesse would have some modicum of respect in China. Right.
BTW, I thought that comment aimed at you about the predominant religion in India was tasteless and rude, and want you to know that not everyone in this country looks at things the same way. |
