Kofi Annan continues to amaze with his verbal gymnastics. Of course diplomats in general have a penchant for understatement and bland formulations, but Kofi's choice of words sometimes just amazes. The Secretary General was interviewed by Israel's Channel 2, and managed to actually call the kidnapping of 2 soldiers, which set—off the war with Hezbollah an act of "terrorism — pure and simple."

But as the Jerusalem Post account of the interview revealed, he also spoke in puzzling terms about the incident.

"Hizbullah should not have crossed the border to pick up the Israeli soldiers," Annan stated.

Pick—up? Israeli soldiers are known to hitch—hike, but isn't this a case of verbal artful dodging taking to the level of insanity? The man has already called it terrorism, and now he uses the language of a mother stopping by a day care center to describe an act of war.

Does he have some sort of understanding with al Manar TV, so that he uses certain formulations for them to broadcast, while ignoring the words they don't like.

Mr. Annan baffles me from tikme to time.

hat tip: Ed Lasky

Thomas Lifsonаа 8 16 06