Bush thanks Austrians for help in Iraq War

Austrian "never forget" stamp from the post-Second World War four-power occupation period

Bush was very generous in thanking Austrians for participating in his Iraq War. This was surely a surprise to the Austrian Bundesheer (Army), who didn't realize they had participated.

From President Bush blunders at APEC summit in Australia by Thoms DeFrank New York Daily News 09/08/07:

A President who jokes that English is his second language outdid himself with a string of verbal gaffes in Australia yesterday.

The malapropisms added some levity to a day marked by an unusually testy exchange with South Korea's president over U.S. policy toward North Korea.

Beginning a talk to business leaders at Sydney's Opera House, Bush told Australian Prime Minister John Howard, "Thank you for being such a fine host for the OPEC summit."

Bush quickly corrected himself: "APEC summit" - the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting. ...

Bush didn't correct the blooper, but the official White House transcript changed the word to "Australian."

You know, Austria, Australia, one of those foreign countries, it's all about the same. Unless you're maybe Austrian or Australian. You know, different continents, different countries. They tend to think people might be able to tell a difference.

Tags: austria, australia, bush