U.S. President George Bush leaves Washington Monday on what is likely to be his final official trip to Asia. He will travel to South Korea, Thailand and China for the start of the Summer Olympics.
布什总统星期一将离开华盛顿，启程赴亚洲进行他任期内可能是最后一次对亚洲的访问。此次行程期间，布什总统将在访问韩国和泰国之后，前往中国参加奥运会的开幕式。
From the streets of Seoul, to the Olympic venues in Beijing, this trip was controversial before it even began.
从韩国首都首尔的街头，到北京奥运会的场馆，布什总统此次的行程，还没有开始，就已经富有争议了。
Mr. Bush was originally expected to travel to Seoul several weeks ago, following the G-8 summit in Japan. Those plans were changed when Koreans staged massive demonstrations to protest a deal on American beef imports, and to show their discontent with their government.
起先，白宫原计划布什总统在几个星期前的工业化八国首脑会议结束之后，即赶赴韩国访问，但是韩国人针对进口美国牛肉问题展开的大规模抗议活动，使白宫改变原计划。韩国人的抗议同时也是出于对他们新一届政府的不满。
Byong-Ki Kim of Korea University in Seoul says it was the wrong time for a presidential visit.
位于首尔的高丽大学的一位国际关系学教授金先生说，布什总统那个时候访问韩国是不妥当的。
"The timing, let's say a month ago, would have been different for Bush to come," said Byong-Ki. "It is not only playing into the domestic political processes, but to possibly even be utilized politically in a very unproductive manner. It is purely domestic politics. It happens anywhere in the world."
他说：“一个月以前，布什总统要来这儿访问的话，时机是不适当的；那个时候，他的访问不仅会被韩国国内政治所左右，甚至还会被一些政治势力所利用，效果会很不好。世界各地，各国内部的政治纷争到处可见。”
Kim says the political climate is still volatile but has cooled a bit. And he says the Bush visit will show just how well the government can handle its diplomatic responsibilities.
这位金教授说，韩国目前的政治局势依然不是很稳定，但是和前一阵相比，已经平静一些了。在布什总统访问期间，韩国政府将充分展示它能够负责任的处理外交领域的问题。
The talks in Seoul are likely to focus on matters of trade and finance, as well as the status of American forces in South Korea. But North Korea's nuclear ambitions should dominate the discussions.
美国与韩国之间的讨论很可能会集中在贸易和财政问题，以及美国驻韩军队问题。不过，北韩的核项目问题将是会谈期间的主要议题。
Derek Mitchell, an Asia policy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, calls North Korea a "legacy issue" for President Bush.
德里克.米切尔是总部设在华盛顿的国家战略问题研究所的亚洲政策专家。他说，北韩问题可以说是布什总统任内的一个“遗产问题”。
"He has a lot on the line and we are getting to the very difficult period on the issue of verification of the declaration the North Koreans have provided on their nuclear program," said Mitchell.
米切尔说:“北韩问题对布什总统来说至关重要。现在到了很困难的阶段，要具体核实北韩方面所提供的核项目清单。”
Mr. Bush is expected to shift focus in Thailand to another world trouble spot - neighboring Burma.
布什总统在泰国访问期间，将把目光转向国际舞台上另外一个问题重重的国家，那就是缅甸。
"Our message is the United States believes in democracy and freedom," he said.
布什总统说：“我们所要传达的讯息是美国人民崇尚民主和自由。”
Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirik of Bangkok's Chulalonghorn University says Mr. Bush may be focusing too much on Burma and not enough on other matters of concern in the region.
泰国首都曼谷朱拉隆功大学的政治学教授蓬素提拉说，布什总统把精力过于集中在缅甸问题上，对东南亚地区的其他问题，没有予以足够的重视。
"When the Bush administration pays attention to Southeast Asia, it's about Burma. So, the US foreign policy has really not fully engaged in the region," said Pongsudhirik.
他说:“布什政府对东南亚地区的关注全都集中在缅甸问题上，对这一地区总体来说，美国在外交方面并没有充分发挥它的职能和作用。”
Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country on the trip, and the president will stay there less than 24 hours. The next day he will be off to Beijing where he hopes to play another role - that of sports fan.
泰国是布什总统这次行程期间将要访问的唯一一个东南亚国家，而且他只会在那里停留不到24个小时。接下来，他将赶赴中国，希望作为一个体育爱好者，出席北京奥运会的开幕式。
"I think it would be good for these athletes who have worked hard to see their president, waving that flag," said Mr. Bush.
布什总统说：“对那些辛辛苦苦准备参加奥运会的运动员来说，我想他们会很高兴看到自己国家的总统挥舞著国旗，为他们助阵。”
Derek Mitchell says that may be wishful thinking on the part of the president.
不过，美国国际战略问题研究所的米切尔说，布什总统的想法可能有些一厢情愿。
"The president simply can't go as a human being enjoying sports. The president goes with the full weight and prestige of the United States when he sits at the opening ceremonies and sees the celebration of China," said Mitchell.
米切尔说：“布什总统想要单纯以一名体育爱好者的身份出席这次奥运会，这是不可能的。作为总统，他只能是肩负著美利坚合众国所代表的荣耀和职责前去参加中国主办的奥运会的开幕式庆典。”
Critics say Beijing's actions in Tibet and Sudan's Darfur region provide enough reason for a presidential boycott. But Mitchell says once Mr. Bush accepted the invitation from Chinese President Hu Jintao, there was no turning back.
批评人士说，基于中国政府在西藏以及苏丹达尔富尔地区问题上所采取的政策，布什总统本应该抵制这次奥运会。不过，米切尔说，布什总统一旦接受了中国国家主席胡锦涛的邀请之后，就很难再说不去了。
"He said he was going immediately so it was much more difficult for him to backtrack from that without seeming to humiliate or embarrass the Chinese people in some way," added Mitchell.
米切尔说：“布什总统当时马上就答应了说要去参加这次奥运会，所以对他来说，很难收回承诺，而又不让中国难堪。”
President Bush has said skipping the games would be an affront to the Chinese. And at a send-off ceremony for American Olympians at the White House, he said he can not wait to cheer them on in person.
布什总统此前讲过，要是不去参加奥运会的话，就等于是冒犯了中国人民。在白宫举行的美国奥运代表团的欢送仪式上，布什总统说，他热切期待著当面给这些运动员们加油。
"I'm fired up to go. I can't wait to salute our athletes, and I can't wait to share in the joy of your triumphs," he said.
他说：“我已经准备好要去了，我非常盼望着向我们的运动员致礼，和他们一同分享成功的喜悦。”
The president said he sees the U.S. athletes as ambassadors of liberty, who will represent America's love for freedom in Beijing.
布什总统说，在他看来，美国运动员实际上是自由的使者，他们在北京奥运会期间所代表的，是美国人民对自由的热爱。 |