U.S. foreign policies create conflict

This letter is a response to the April 18 Jeff Barnhart's Exponent letter that China lacks diplomacy in the spy plane crisis.

In my opinion, it is President Bush's demand that the crew and plane be returned immediately at the beginning of the crisis that caused all the tension.

Had he toned down the rhetoric, it would not have stirred the anger of Chinese people and would have resolved the issue much more quickly. I am wondering why he did it: create an international crisis to build up his domestic support (Wag the Dog and what the Cuban missile crisis did for JFK after a disputed election jumped right up)? Maybe, maybe not.

As to the comment on China being a rogue nation, here is some barb to throw back at the U.S.: sending planes all over the world to spy on other nations, killing civilians during the Korean war, in Kosovo and in Iraq, disregarding the treaty on nuclear arm control and global warming, etc.

Sounds like all these fit into being a rogue nation pretty well! The point is that the U.S. and China can either charge each other with many things or calm down and build a fruitful relationship.

Oh, as to Mr. Barnhart's comment on how friendly the U.S. and former Soviet Union handled similar incidents, here is an example: During the Cold War, a USSR pilot defected to Japan on a Mig-25 fighter jet. Despite the USSR's request that the plane be returned immediately and untouched, the U.S. dismantled the plane and did not return it until some 70-plus days had passed. Please, Mr. Barnhart, investigate your facts before making any

claims.

Bin Yao

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