U.S. nuclear envoy Christopher Hill, center, sits with his delegate members attending the 2nd working group meeting on North Korea’s nuclear program at the Liaoning Friendship Convention Center in Shenyang, northeastern China, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007. Envoys to talks on North Korea’s nuclear program met Thursday in northeast China to discuss the next steps in ridding Pyongyang of its atomic ambitions. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Yes, that is a Starbucks cup, logo forward, in the image.
One wonders if Hill is thinking about a career as a pitch-man for the Seattle-based coffee company, just in case this whole “globe trotting statesman” thing doesn’t work out. I can only imagine the testimonials …
Often, when listening to one of Kim Kye-gwan’s extended monologues, I sometimes start to nod off. That’s when I reach for a doppio espresso from Starbucks …
Despite a gastronomic history stretching back thousands of years and a booming manufacturing sector, the Chinese people still can’t seem to combine the two in a decent espresso or properly steamed milk. That’s why I never go anywhere in China without a tall soy latte from Starbucks …
After a White House showing of the Manchurian Candidate, Dick Cheney’s staff now requires all State Department officials to carry poison pills when traveling abroad. I like knowing, if it ever came to that, my last beverage will be a half-caf venti low-fat Mochaccino from Starbucks …
Submit your own in the comments.
Haninah | August 17, 2007
Man, this whole nuclear weapons negotiating thingy is a real bummer… You know what would really make things better? ORANGE MOCHA FRAPPUCHINOS!!!
RS | August 17, 2007
“Caramel Macchiato – yet another weapon in the US arsenal of luxury goods.” Goes well with the “Can’t touch this” on the IPod.
august | August 17, 2007
More Christopher Hill Starbucks endorsements…
1. The ambassador explained to me Mao’s principle of guerrilla warfare: when they retreat, we attack. I explained my principle of diplomacy, when they flag, we caffeinate with a grande caramel macchiato.
2. If Lin Biao had a couple of these babies, he’d still be alive today.
3. The green tea Frappucino is a perfect meeting of East and West, yin and yang, Nixon and Mao.
4. I take that back. Tea sucks.
I'll take "Things Fissionable" for $24 million, Alex | August 18, 2007
Odd how that’s the most in-focus part of the photo.
Ron Medler | August 18, 2007
This thing about STARBUCKS
is blowm way out of
proportion…..
Anon | August 18, 2007
“Kim Gye-gwan and I were trying to figure out, what could possibly be the equivalent of 950 thousand tons of fuel oil when I reached for a sip of my tall low-fat double macchiato from Starbucks. He asked if the stuff really gives me energy to keep going. I told him, ‘Mr. Kim, I believe we just found our equivalent.’”
Jeffrey Lewis | August 18, 2007
In terms of focus, I blurred everything other than the Starbucks in order to highlight it.
Doug Shaw | August 18, 2007
Awfully coincidental, less than a month after the Forbidden City thing…
( http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/324790_starbucks24.html )
James | August 19, 2007
Lest we forget, Hu Jintao has already taken on the mantle of unofficial Starbucks promoter in Asia:
“If I were not serving in this office, I would certainly prefer to go into one of the coffee shops run by Starbucks,” said the usually reserved Hu.
http://english.people.com.cn/200604/20/eng20060420_259720.html
For a visual, check out http://blogenchine.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/Starbucks_Hu%20Jintao.jpg
Scott G. | August 20, 2007
I think that is the same thing that Bush’s team did while trying to sell the WMD story in Iraq. Certainly a good example of distortion of the truth, and the difference between true journalism and blogs.
“In terms of focus, I blurred everything other than the Starbucks in order to highlight it.”
Jeffrey Lewis · Aug 18, 12:04 PM ·
abcd | August 20, 2007
Unsubstantiated claim of the day:
“Starbucks sure beats the #@$% out of Seattle’s Best,” Chris Hill
Eric Hundman | August 20, 2007
@Haninah
I mean, drink tanks have responded for years by imbibing heavily. I hear the world isn’t safe yet, so why not try simple carbs?
Jeffrey Lewis | August 20, 2007
The blog post also included a link to the original picture on the Washington Post.
Get off it.
Brian | August 20, 2007
“It’s not always easy keeping the world’s most dangerous weapons out of the hands of the world’s most dangerous people.
My favorite tool in the counterterrorism toolbox? Starbucks double-shot. Enough caffeine to keep me going. Enough cream to keep us on the offensive.”
Winston | August 20, 2007
So… there is a Starbucks in North Korea? Where did he get it from?
Jeffrey Lewis | August 20, 2007
No, the Six Party talks usually occur in China. This time they are in Shenyang, which has four Starbucks.
Given that Hill stays at the InterContinental (208 Nanjing N. St.), my guess is that the workers at the 206 Nanjing N. St. location were treated to an appearance by “boyish US envoy” who has become a “heartthrob in China.”
MTC | August 20, 2007
“It’s the latest from the DARPA brats, Mr. Hill. Point the logo at a person and you can hear what he’s thinking.”
“And the logo?”
“After the Forbidden City shutdown, Starbucks was willing to do anything to get even. They practically begged to be the cover.”
fred | August 23, 2007
FYI starbucks OWNS seattles best…
abcd | August 23, 2007
To be honest, Fred, I was previously unaware of this. But Starbucks apparently hasn’t shared with Seattle’s Best their secret to making GOOD coffee. It’d be like lumping Old Navy and Banana Republic together, even though they are owned by the same parent company.
Binh | August 23, 2007
He’s trying to promote capitalism in N. Korea:
“We’ll open a Starbucks if we can open sweatshops. You know you want to, Kim.”