Buckeye Blues

‘Frank’ Talk With Iraq’s P.M.

Sometimes the official White House transcript doesn’t fully express what has transpired between President Bush and a foreign counterpart. Sometimes you have to compare and contrast the leaders’ words to get a full picture, even though the leaders are standing side by side.

That was certainly the case when Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki visited the White House on Tuesday, and most probably will be true again when Britain’s Tony Blair visits Friday. This is a week for divining meanings at the White House, as the world’s leaders continue to talk around the subject of the Middle East crisis.

First, the exchange with the Iraqi prime minister: in Tuesday’s press conference, President Bush tersely described his private conversation with Maliki as “a frank exchange of views.” Translation of “frank”: this used to be a tactful phrase, but it has become such a cliché that it means the kind of exchange that friends don’t usually have.

Bush’s account goes like this: “I listened closely to the prime minister, and I valued a chance to hear his perspective.” Translation of “listened closely”: his lips were moving but I didn’t agree with him.

Bush agreed with Maliki about what he called “the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon,” and he told him about his plans for $30 million in humanitarian aid to the Lebanese. Then Bush let rip with his own priorities. “I told him I support a sustainable ceasefire that will bring about an end to violence,” he said, “and I talked about the importance of strengthening the Lebanese government and supporting the Lebanese people.” Translation of “sustainable ceasefire”: the defeat or disarmament of Hizbullah.