SINGAPORE has cancelled ASEAN's traditional night of skits and stage acts by ministers at the end of their annual talks, apparently because some of them were taking it too seriously.
ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said he did not know why the Singaporeans had decided to pull the plug on what he described as "one of the highlights'' of the sometimes dull annual foreign ministerial meetings.
"That's the privilege of the host,'' he said.
"It was the decision of the host not to (keep the tradition) but I agree it was one of the highlights.''
He said some of the ministers had taken it "too seriously'' in previous years.
"The point was to relax and bond,'' Mr Surin said.
"I think some of the dialogue partners took their performances too seriously to the point where they felt uncomfortable... They kept their scripts secret and rehearsed sometimes in their bathrooms.''
Singaporean officials refused to publicly confirm that the gala dinner at the presidential palace tomorrow would be a strictly formal event featuring professional entertainment but no ministerial performances.
They would not comment on their reasons for cancelling the annual behind-closed-doors bonding session, highlights of which invariably leaked to the media.
Previous gala nights have seen former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer in fishnet stockings and high heels, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice performing classical piano and former Japanese foreign minister Taro Aso impersonating Humphrey Bogart.
Ministers from the 10 ASEAN countries - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - plus dialogue partners such as the US and Australia are expected at the dinner.
SOURCE: NEWS.com.au
ALEXANDER DOWNER RAPPING - HOWARD KILLED!
Former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer gets down & gets funky as he raps political on this first cut of the Mediacracy EP. Ever the consummate politician, Downer tows the party line throughout each verse, decrying the "out there, political left" at every turn. But when the funk-bass chorus kicks in, the truth slips out, as Downer just can't contain himself… "Howard killed"!
THE NEW ASEAN EMBLEM
The New ASEAN emblem represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic ASEAN. The colours of the emblem -- blue, red, white and yellow -- represent the main colours of the crests of all the ASEAN countries.
The blue represents peace and stability. Red depicts courage and dynamism. White shows purity and yellow symbolises prosperity.
_______________________________________________
ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said he did not know why the Singaporeans had decided to pull the plug on what he described as "one of the highlights'' of the sometimes dull annual foreign ministerial meetings.
"That's the privilege of the host,'' he said.
"It was the decision of the host not to (keep the tradition) but I agree it was one of the highlights.''
He said some of the ministers had taken it "too seriously'' in previous years.
"The point was to relax and bond,'' Mr Surin said.
"I think some of the dialogue partners took their performances too seriously to the point where they felt uncomfortable... They kept their scripts secret and rehearsed sometimes in their bathrooms.''
Singaporean officials refused to publicly confirm that the gala dinner at the presidential palace tomorrow would be a strictly formal event featuring professional entertainment but no ministerial performances.
They would not comment on their reasons for cancelling the annual behind-closed-doors bonding session, highlights of which invariably leaked to the media.
Previous gala nights have seen former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer in fishnet stockings and high heels, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice performing classical piano and former Japanese foreign minister Taro Aso impersonating Humphrey Bogart.
Ministers from the 10 ASEAN countries - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - plus dialogue partners such as the US and Australia are expected at the dinner.
SOURCE: NEWS.com.au
_______________________________________________
ALEXANDER DOWNER RAPPING - HOWARD KILLED!
Former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer gets down & gets funky as he raps political on this first cut of the Mediacracy EP. Ever the consummate politician, Downer tows the party line throughout each verse, decrying the "out there, political left" at every turn. But when the funk-bass chorus kicks in, the truth slips out, as Downer just can't contain himself… "Howard killed"!_______________________________________________
THE NEW ASEAN EMBLEM
The New ASEAN emblem represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic ASEAN. The colours of the emblem -- blue, red, white and yellow -- represent the main colours of the crests of all the ASEAN countries.
The blue represents peace and stability. Red depicts courage and dynamism. White shows purity and yellow symbolises prosperity.
_______________________________________________
1 comment:
Lets face it, ASEAN is a joke, an uncomfortable "union" of neighbours each making sure they are not taken advantaged of by the other, a photo opportunity for the ministers. We have yet to see them resolve any issues of significance.
We should just cut the charade of smiles and crossed handshakes.
Post a Comment