RE: I notice that the story does not actually quote what Barry happened to say
He WROTE it. So, that’s set in stone ( for want of a better word ).
Here’s what he did:
SEE HERE:
Obama reiterated the stance of the U.S. government in a written reply to questions made by Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper at the beginning of an Asian visit that will bring him to three other countries aside from Japan.
“The policy of the United States is clear,” Obama said. “The Senkaku Islands are administered by Japan” and therefore shall fall under the U.S.-Japan treaty, he wrote. “We oppose any unilateral attempts to undermine Japan’s administration of these islands,” Obama added. This reiteration seems aimed at reassuring Japan that the U.S. would always come to its defense if China attempted to take the islands by force, as Beijing also claims the territories as the Diayou Islands. Russia’s recent actions and the annexation of Crimea has raised concerns about America’s capability and political desire to protect its allies, notably Japan and the Philippines, who both have ongoing tensions with China.