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If Clinton could "near-apologize" for the U.S. role in Guatemala, is it beyond the realm of imagination that Obama could "near-apologize" for the U.S. overthrow of democracy in Iran?
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Let's just hope he gets one hell of an interpreter.
Nuance and such.......
seems like a common courtesy to be able to speak the language of the host country----this sounds more than a little insulting----what`s up with is----
A good (and only slightly dated) summary of why this is a deeper problem than this article lets on is in this WP article.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/15/AR2005101500104_pf.html
It is unlikely that a diplomat with both the language skills and the diplomatic chops exists. There certainly isn't enough available for all the critical positions in the Middle East
So, we got rid of the guy who used to be "Charlie McCarthy" to General Petreus' "Edgar Bergan" every time they showed up at a Congressional hearing?
How much Arabic did he speak?
Change ---- slowly, but surely. Change.
A bit here, a bit there.
Sure 'Nuff --- Change.
He should learn to speak Arabic as a sign of respect. Seems rediculous to appoint people to foreign affairs eg Ambassadors, Consuls, etc who don't speak the language of the people they will be dealing with. I could never understand that mindset, that foreign language was unimportant.
They appoint white ambassadors to African countries in every administration and none of them speak the languages - so this is a non-issue. If the guy respects the Iraqi people and culture, then he should do fine. Get rid of the cowboy bush mentality that existed before.
In all the african countries, the official languages (dating back from colonisation) are either French or English (with a couple of portuguese exceptions.) Therefore, ambassadors do not need (a priori) to speak the local dialects or languages, to do their jobs. Once they are in office, they learn the local languages in a record pace within less than 6 months. Mainly for their better understanding of the local customs and traditions.
Just to tell you that French and English rule the world, not the local dialect in Africa.
However, the arabic culture is different.
Hope this helped!
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