"Singapore's the size of a booger" - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Ydde · 10-15-2004, 03:46 AM

Just something to distract you guys from the elections for a while.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/040928/1/3neoa.html

Quote:

Taiwan Foreign Minister Chen Tan-sun has sparked an outcry after he derisively described Singapore as "a country the size of a booger", officials said.

Chen was responding to comments from Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo, who had told the UN General Assembly that an independence drive by certain Taiwan groups would lead to war with mainland China.

An angry Chen, an advocate of the island's independence drive, fired a salvo at Yeo while meeting dozens of independence activists at the foreign ministry Monday.

"Even a country the size of a booger brazenly criticized Taiwan and former president Lee Teng-hui in the United Nations," Chen said in Taiwanese dialect.

"It was nothing but an effort to embrace China's 'balls', forgive me using such a word," Chen said.

"What he (Yeo) said was to try to please China."

The remarks drew widespread criticism, with critics warning that ties with Singapore could be damaged.

"It is improper to term another country as a 'booger' (US slang for dried nasal mucus)," said Chen Chien-ming, a parliamentarian from the Taiwan Solidarity Union, which is allied to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party..

"If necessary, he should apologize to the Singapore government."

Government spokesman Chen Chi-mai said he could understand Chen's frustration at Taiwan's 12th failed bid to join the UN "but the comparison is not proper".

Beijing replaced Taipei in the UN in 1971 and has blocked attempts by Taipei to join the world body.

Despite diplomatic links with Beijing and its support for a "one China" policy, Singapore has been operating three military training camps in Taiwan.

China was infuriated after Singapore's then-deputy prime minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Taiwan in July.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification -- by force if necessary. The two sides split at the end of a civil war in 1949.

I thought it reflected really badly on Taiwan that the Foreign Minister uses this kind of language . It would not do them any favour in the international arena, even though it's true that Singapore is really really small in terms of land mass.

However, the thing that is most interesting is the reply of Singapore's Foreign Minister. I think it took a lot of restraint to say:
"resorting to intemperate language cannot assuage these concerns." If this happened in the West, the response would surely be a lot harsher than this.

itlain · 10-15-2004, 04:56 AM

A lot of times I think a lot of things get blown out of proportion. Granted yes it may be a mistake to say something like this but one of the downsides about printed news media is that you only see one point of view. We don't neccasarily see the whole conversation and see in what context such said phrase was used in.

irateplatypus · 10-15-2004, 07:35 AM

the greatest part is that this comes from a leader of a country who's land area is just a bit larger than that of Maryland.

KMA-628 · 10-15-2004, 07:36 AM

What about Rhode Island? I have a booger under my chair about that size.

beta18 · 10-16-2004, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irateplatypus

the greatest part is that this comes from a leader of a country who's land area is just a bit larger than that of Maryland.

haha exactly....

my parents are from taiwain and its sad to hear their Foreign Minister talking like that. i am sure it was in the heat of the battle, but as a political officer you should always keep your cool. losing your cool, (dick cheney style) is simply telling/showing the public that, "hey your opponent got the better of you"

Ustwo · 10-18-2004, 01:37 PM

Of course everyone is afraid of pissing of China, I would think that after some 50 years of independence from China, Taiwan belongs in the UN, reguardless of what China thinks.

beofotch5 · 10-18-2004, 06:26 PM

i have never had a booger that big or clean!

beofotch5 · 10-18-2004, 07:02 PM

i have never had a booger that big or clean!

Ydde · 10-19-2004, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beofotch5

i have never had a booger that big or clean!

Or that red for the matter.

10-15-2004, 04:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
itlain Upright Location: Fort Lewis, WA	A lot of times I think a lot of things get blown out of proportion. Granted yes it may be a mistake to say something like this but one of the downsides about printed news media is that you only see one point of view. We don't neccasarily see the whole conversation and see in what context such said phrase was used in. __________________ Support the troops, if not the war.

10-15-2004, 07:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
irateplatypus can't help but laugh Location: dar al-harb	the greatest part is that this comes from a leader of a country who's land area is just a bit larger than that of Maryland. __________________ If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves. ~ Winston Churchill

10-18-2004, 01:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	Of course everyone is afraid of pissing of China, I would think that after some 50 years of independence from China, Taiwan belongs in the UN, reguardless of what China thinks. __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.

10-15-2004, 07:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
KMA-628 ....is off his meds...you were warned. Location: The Wild Wild West	What about Rhode Island? I have a booger under my chair about that size.

10-18-2004, 06:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
beofotch5 Upright	i have never had a booger that big or clean!

10-18-2004, 07:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
beofotch5 Upright	i have never had a booger that big or clean!