Thirty-two years of journalism taught me to suspect anything and everything. So when I saw all those photos and video footages of US President Obama’s meeting with Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, I cannot but feel Obama may have cozied up to Suu Kyi a bit too much.
The footages on CNN showed Obama, after briefly addressing reporters outside her house after the meeting, buzzing Suu Kyi on each cheek, and then buzzing her again still on each cheek before leading her back into the house, his arm wrapped tightly around her.
Still photos in various newspapers showed much of the same. Almost none showed the part where both took turns addressing the press. At the very least, this proves I was not the only one struck by the precious moments.
I have not seen the regular talk shows of Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, or David Letterman after that meeting in Yangoon. But I would expect, if I know the line of thinking of these guys, any or all of them to take up these precious moments in their respective shows.
In fact, I would expect CNN’s Jeanne Moos, who specialized in light, offbeat stories, not to pass up on these precious moments. There was simply too much of an air of informal affection between Obama and Suu Kyi that made it stick out begging attention.
By affection I do not mean attraction. But what if I did? Her 67 years, a considerable part of them spent in detention, do not hide the fact that she is a remarkably attractive woman and must have been a beauty in her youth.
The affection Obama showered on Suu Kyi caught my interest because I have not seen him getting that affectionate with other women leaders he had occasion to meet. For one thing, he is not that affectionate with Angela Merkel.
Of course it is very easy to insist that the gestures Obama showed toward Suu Kyi were those of a father reassuring a daughter harassed by bullies in school. It can even be that of a powerful leader needing to send signals that this here is a favorite one.
There are as many ways to interpret a picture as there are people beholding the picture. But then again, you have not seen Obama kiss Suu Kyi on the cheek, not once, not twice, but four times, before leading her away, his arm wrapped tightly around her.
I cannot try to imagine what must have gone on in Suu Kyi’s mind and heart in those precious moments. Her years of torment and harassment must have steeled her to a point where it would be difficult to divine her feelings just by looking at her face.
All throughout those few public minutes before the cameras, Suu Kyi maintained a benign smile and if that smile suggested anything, I’m sorry but I cannot put a finger on it. Maybe she appreciated Obama’s warmth, maybe she didn’t.
But like a true Asian woman, she exuded quiet dignity and was polite all throughout the episode. She was truly a leader of her people, who for the first time saw an American president visit their shores and wasted no time showing them how much he cared for Suu Kyi.
To be sure, these are heady times for Obama. He just won reelection, making him an even greater president and more powerful person. The American president is the most powerful person in the world. A reelected American president is the most powerful person in the world twice over.
A large part of the vote that made Obama win came from Asian Americans. This must have warmed Obama so that in the presence of a well-loved and respected Asian leader, the American president melted. But what the heck, just see the videos for yourself.