I was reading his recent speech in Azerbaijan and it was posted in English. I am assuming that he gave it in English, as English is the best "bridge" language for two countries that speak separate, non-English languages. Below is he speech for those who are interested.

March 12, 2006

Your Excellency President Ilham Aliyev!

First Lady Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva!

Dear guests!

Let me express my deep gratitude to Your Excellency and Mrs. Aliyeva for the hospitality shown here to me and my delegation. I am really pleased with being the first President of the Republic of Korea to visit Azerbaijan.

Even though I came to your country just yesterday, I had time to realize why the world pays so much attention to Azerbaijan. Wherever I went and whatever I was acquainted with, I witnessed development in your country. Today, I toured the Sangachal oil terminal. It seemed to look like a symbol of Azerbaijan’s power opening to the world.

Last year, Azerbaijan had the impressing growth of 26 percent. The country has reached substantial progress not only in oil sector but also in textile, construction and electronics industries, as well as in the field of tourism. The President Ilham Aliyev’s plan to double GDP in 2008 is moving forward.

I am sure that developing in the New Silk Road era, Azerbaijan will strengthen its mission of being a leading country. I sympathize with Your Excellency’s leadership and potential of the Azerbaijani people.

Your Excellency,

Our today’s summit was very successful. There is no doubt that this year will remain in our memory as the beginning of a new era in development of bilateral relations. Today, we have signed the Joint Declaration on Principles for Relations and Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Korea, Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Korea on Cooperation in the Field of Culture, and Air Services Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Korea.

These documents will turn into a foundation stone for future development. At the same time, this year - 14 years after Korea and Azerbaijan established diplomatic relations - both countries will open their embassies. The document signed this time on cooperation in fields of energy, information technologies, construction and transportation will elevate the cooperation between the two countries to a qualitatively new level.

Mutual interest of our countries has even increased recently. Taekwondo and Korean traditional herbal medicine is getting more and more popular in Azerbaijan. Last year, Korean TV-channels televised a program about your capital Baku. This year, a week of Azerbaijani culture will be held in Seoul. By continuing to expand such an exchange and cooperation, the Republic of Korea and Azerbaijan will do turn into more reliable friends.

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Mike ;
President Roh is speak not English at all.
That is ashamed things very much.
We are need President who very good at English.
Next is Korean Presidents who very well speaking English.


Dr. Syngman Rhee, first president of Korea, He is very speaking in English.
His wife is American.



Presindet Kim Dae Jung, He also very well speaking English, but His English pronunciation is awful.

The President who speaking English, Ony 2 pepole in Korean history.

Dr. Syngman Rhee
He was a diplomacy specialist. And He was need not interpreting.
His English was very hight class.
Most of Korean Presidents is speak to not English expept him.
This is very shameful thing in Korean history.







Dr Rhee, he is very important a person in Korean history.

Shsong, I get confused when Korean people say "president". Do you mean that he was a leader of one of the Korean provinces or cities? Or was he just a very important person in Korean politics.
For example, in Canada we have the Prime Minister of the whole country. Then, we have Premiers of the provinces. Then there are Mayors of the cities. Then there are representatives of the different political parties (groups) - they are called MP's.

So, what did Dr. Syngman Rhee do?

Not being able to speak English is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. If you can read and write the language of your own country, that is enough and something to be very proud of.

Hi! Long time no see!
You're right. but Korea is lack of the influencing power in International community. so we are need a diplomacy specialist.
I think Korean president have to speak good English. It's very important point for the Age of Global standard. IMO

Hi, Agashi !
Dr. Syngman Rhee is first president of Korea.
It's mean that he was a leader of Korea.
He was first Presindent in Korea. OK ?
and his wife is American. OK ?
He was requested help to America at the time Korean War 1950.
Do you know ?
S.Korea is a presidential government like U.S.A.
Are you understand ?
It's different from Canada.
But, I like Canada.

Agashi ;
I love Canada national flag.
It's a good design.
BTW, I wonder what mean it central leaves .
Do you know it ?

Before the Europeans came to Canada, aboriginal people had discovered how to take sap from the Maple Tree. Sap is sweet and is used for cooking. The leaf on the flag is a Maple Leaf. Even before the flag was created, I believe the maple leaf was a Canadian symbol.
Red and white are just Canada's colors. I believe it had something to do with crusaders from France and England. The English wore red crosses on their clothes and the French wore white ones (I THINK). Canada only started as two provinces - basically an English one and a French one. So, red and white were declared the colors of Canada.
Now, I'm not entirely sure about this, but I think the two red stripes represent the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

OK, thanks shsong, I understand about Rhee now.

OK, I see.
BTW, I have one a question about Canada.
Is there racism it ?