http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-4952330,00.html
Rice Announces Presidential Run by Mistake
Thursday April 21, 2005 2:16 AM
AP Photo MOSB126
By BARRY SCHWEID
AP Diplomatic Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - It was a long interview in Moscow, and maybe she was tired
from her travels, but for just a moment Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
declared Wednesday that she would seek the U.S. presidency.
``One day you will run for president?'' Rice was asked on Ekko Moskvy Radio.
``President, da, da,'' Rice readily replied.
That, as nearly everyone knows, even if they are not fluent in Russian as
Rice is believed to be, means yes.
``Nyet, nyet, nyet, nyet,'' Rice quickly added, taking herself out of the
race as fast as she'd gotten into it.
The former academic, whose specialty was Soviet studies, is fluent in
Russian - usually.
Moments before, in response to a series of friendly questions from
listeners, Rice had begun her answers by saying ``Da.''
Her mood was clearly upbeat as she assured one listener, in Russian, that
``the United States and the American people respect the great culture of
Russia, respect the great people of Russia, and we know that Russia has a
very good future ahead of it.''
She told another listener, in English, ``The United States is not an enemy
of Russia.''
And when a Russian girl asked how she could become like Condoleezza Rice,
she replied in English, ``I don't want to talk about myself.''
She did, but only when the caller pressed. ``I enjoy very much what I do
now. I have great friends and family,'' Rice said.
Rice also acknowledged in her reply, switching to Russian, that the Russian
language ``is very difficult.... It is difficult to speak without
mistakes.''
And she proved it a few minutes later by accidentally applying for the job
of U.S. president.
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