BEIJING 2008: BUSH OPENS U. S. EMBASSY, SPEAKS FRANKLY

Arrived yesterday in Beijing, after irritating the Chinese by his statements on the human right situation in China, a few hours before the opening ceremony of the Olympics George W. Bush has defended freedom of expression and individual rights regarding religion. The American president spoke during the opening of the new U.S. embassy in China, a majestic construction in glass and cement. Bush said: "We continue to be convinced that all people should have the freedom to say what they think, and to practice a religion of their choice. I strongly believe that societies in which ideas are allowed to be expressed freely are the most prosperous and peaceful. I will continue to be frank regarding our mutual responsibilities" Bush stressed to the present press and VIPs, among whom his father George H. W. Bush Senior and Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State of the USA who 30 years ago, under Richard Nixon, started the normalisation of relations with Maoist China. Bush added that he can be so "frank" thanks to his contribution to a solid relation with the regime of Beijing, based on "respect and trust". However his words were welcomed with an icy silence from the side of the Chinese officials present at the opening of the embassy.