Tuesday, 17 November 1998 -- HONG KONG -- By diplomatic standards it was like thumping your host in the chops.

Wham.

Mr. Grey finally got himself a bit of colour. I never thought I would find myself saying this, but well-done, Al. If there were ever any folks in Asia who were not quite sure who you were before - they sure as hell know you now!!

In practical terms, the Veep has probably hurt American business interests and the United States now ranks up there with Australia on Malaysia's shit-list of countries they love to hate. But I can't help myself - Al, you're my man!

It is almost like a dream come true. Well, for me anyway. Just prior to the Pacific Rim summit I was bitching to one of my colleagues about how I expected the usual round of hand-shakes and false smiles. Supposed liberal, freedom loving democrats pressing the flesh with the likes of Mahatir and Habibie. Business first, human rights way, way down the list. Not, as I have often repeated, I have any major problem with that - its just that I wasn't looking forward to the stomach turning spectacle of 'all pals together' photo-ops that are about the only real achievement of these APEC summits.

Al's approach of: "Hey, we think you suck - now let's do some business" is something that I can go along with. Admire. Raise my glass and toast; "Way to go, Al."

I was telling my colleague that in any organisation or structure there are going to be folks that really don't like each other. If they are professional, they will work together and not let their differences affect the product - but nobody expects them to pretend that they are 'chums'. At the same time, I guess, there are folks who pretend to hate each other, but behind the scenes they are thick as thieves. This is where politics and politicians depart from the accepted definition of professionalism.

I admire honesty, I just hate hypocrites. Politicians that pay lip-service to human rights while dealing with some of the worst offenders in the world - and appearing to enjoy their little tete-a-tete's for the camera - well, that just makes me mad as hell. For once we have witnessed a senior political leader stand up and speak his mind while attending an international forum where everyone usually pretends to be best of mates - the heck with the consequences. I am beside myself with joy! How many people can remember where and when the last APEC took place? What was achieved? I'll clue ya, this one will be remembered for a long, long time.

I'm impressed all to hell, keep sticking it to them Al and I might even begin to think that you are actually a living and breathing human being - who could possibly make an excellent POTUS.

--Chris Gelken