MR. WILDER: We were contacted by the South Korean government at very high levels and asked to re-look at this question. The President directed Secretary Rice to check into this and see exactly what did happen with this change of designation. It was decided after that review that the change in designation was not warranted at this time. And so that database is now being restored to where it was prior to this change in designation, I think which occurred about seven days ago on the database.
We regret that this change in designation was perceived by South Koreans as some sort of change in our policy. Let me be very clear that our policy on this territorial dispute has been firm and consistent since 1952, and that is, we do not take a position on this territorial dispute; that we believe that South Korea and Japan need to work diplomatically to resolve this issue. But it is their issue to resolve.
From July 31 press briefing by Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, Dennis Wilder, on President's Trip to Asia
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2 comments:
Hmmmmm. You must be right about this being driven by the president's travel plans. The explanation by Gallegos seemed totally sensible to me - a rare moment of clarity in state department P.R. Now we're back to "was not warranted", which isn't an explanation at all.
As explanations go, Mr. Gallego's explanation, as well as the Japanese position, make far more sense. But as you well know, that's not the point. Where vital interests are not at risk, the loudest voice will often win out.
Of course South Korea is by far from the only country that has these fits of insanity, though the emotional intensity there is always stunning,
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