i lack the words.
Aug. 1st, 2002 07:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
crankylexhttp://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20020801/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/colin_the_crooner_2&e=4
Powell Wows Diplomats With Song
Thu Aug 1, 2:29 PM ET
By PATRICK McDOWELL, Associated Press Writer
Colin Powell ( news - web sites) has a hard time letting go of work, even when he's forced to play Ñ and sing.
Since taking office last year, the ever-dignified Secretary of State has learned that karaoke is a great leveler in the Asia-Pacific, where tradition requires he and other foreign ministers to individually perform a skit-and-song in front of their peers at the end of the region's largest security meeting.
It's closed-to-the-press kind of behavior, but reporters still go well out of their way to get the scoop.
In 2001, bowing to protocol, the reluctant Powell was coaxed on stage in Hanoi by Japan's vivacious Mamiko Tanaka Ñ since fired for not fitting in at her country's dark-suited foreign ministry Ñ in a rendition of "El Paso."
The couple showed chemistry Ñ and were captured in a show-stopping pose on a Vietnamese TV tape never meant for public consumption. It was shown around the world anyway.
Everyone knew Powell was uncomfortable. This year, he riffed on those memories.
The skit opened with Powell chairing a meeting, looking completely at home as he took advice from staffers. "Don't do it," pleaded one. "No rolling on the floor this time," admonished another.
Then, the American president appeared on a huge backdrop video screen with advice for his chief diplomat. "Practice this time," said President Bush ( news - web sites).
Powell and staff then rose and labored with gusto through the old "South Pacific" standard "Some Enchanted Evening" Ñ with lyrics bent to the arcana of Southeast Asian foreign relations.
"Once you reach consensus, never let it go," Powell sang in a serviceable baritone. "Once you reach consensus, never let it G-O-O-O."
Loud applause followed. The diplomatic audience agreed Ñ diplomatically, and on background Ñ that Powell was "really good."
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov also found favor, making a trip five centuries into the future and returning as a robot, singing "We Are the World."
Finally, all the ministers lined up to massacre an Abba tune, "I Have a Dream."
"We will be together. It's not a fairy tale," they sang. "We will see the future. We will never fail."
Early reviews were positive.
"Great fun," declared Philippine special envoy Domingo Siazon.
"The Americans were hilarious, the Russians innovative. Powell singing was good," said Syed Hamid Albar, Malaysia's foreign minister. "It was a good break after all this talk on terrorism."
But what does a minister do when he really, really can't sing?
Indonesia's Hassan Wirajuda put on his wife, who belted with lounge-perfect rendition of Asia's favorite karaoke number. He stood beside her and croaked just two words at the very end.
"My Way."
Powell Wows Diplomats With Song
Thu Aug 1, 2:29 PM ET
By PATRICK McDOWELL, Associated Press Writer
Colin Powell ( news - web sites) has a hard time letting go of work, even when he's forced to play Ñ and sing.
Since taking office last year, the ever-dignified Secretary of State has learned that karaoke is a great leveler in the Asia-Pacific, where tradition requires he and other foreign ministers to individually perform a skit-and-song in front of their peers at the end of the region's largest security meeting.
It's closed-to-the-press kind of behavior, but reporters still go well out of their way to get the scoop.
In 2001, bowing to protocol, the reluctant Powell was coaxed on stage in Hanoi by Japan's vivacious Mamiko Tanaka Ñ since fired for not fitting in at her country's dark-suited foreign ministry Ñ in a rendition of "El Paso."
The couple showed chemistry Ñ and were captured in a show-stopping pose on a Vietnamese TV tape never meant for public consumption. It was shown around the world anyway.
Everyone knew Powell was uncomfortable. This year, he riffed on those memories.
The skit opened with Powell chairing a meeting, looking completely at home as he took advice from staffers. "Don't do it," pleaded one. "No rolling on the floor this time," admonished another.
Then, the American president appeared on a huge backdrop video screen with advice for his chief diplomat. "Practice this time," said President Bush ( news - web sites).
Powell and staff then rose and labored with gusto through the old "South Pacific" standard "Some Enchanted Evening" Ñ with lyrics bent to the arcana of Southeast Asian foreign relations.
"Once you reach consensus, never let it go," Powell sang in a serviceable baritone. "Once you reach consensus, never let it G-O-O-O."
Loud applause followed. The diplomatic audience agreed Ñ diplomatically, and on background Ñ that Powell was "really good."
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov also found favor, making a trip five centuries into the future and returning as a robot, singing "We Are the World."
Finally, all the ministers lined up to massacre an Abba tune, "I Have a Dream."
"We will be together. It's not a fairy tale," they sang. "We will see the future. We will never fail."
Early reviews were positive.
"Great fun," declared Philippine special envoy Domingo Siazon.
"The Americans were hilarious, the Russians innovative. Powell singing was good," said Syed Hamid Albar, Malaysia's foreign minister. "It was a good break after all this talk on terrorism."
But what does a minister do when he really, really can't sing?
Indonesia's Hassan Wirajuda put on his wife, who belted with lounge-perfect rendition of Asia's favorite karaoke number. He stood beside her and croaked just two words at the very end.
"My Way."
