Spanish President Zapatero Declares 'Slit Eye Week'
MADRID (Disassociated Press) August 19, 2008 - Spanish President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has declared this week, the closing week of the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing, as "La Semana De La Hendidura Del Ojo," or "Slit Eye Week," in Spain.
The declaration has come in response to world rebuke in light of photographs of the Spanish Men's and Women's Olympic Basketball Teams which shows the team members posing with their eyes pulled back in slits, apparently mocking the appearance of Asian people, and the people of the host country, China.
"The teams' intents were not at all malicious; instead, they were actually a salute to the host country, and its people," stated Zapatero.
The Spanish President has asked all citizens of Spain to go about their daily business for the rest of the week with their eyes pulled back in slits, just as the basketball teams' members were in the controversial photos. Exceptions to the request are being made for those driving, or operating heavy machinery.