He was asked about those being ugly to him and he said that the American people expected him to treat people with respect or be pleasant to them. Of course, I'm paraphrasing. At least, he didn't pretend that they WERE nice to him. If we would cut off aid to all those countries who show us no respect, maybe they would act differently. It's just like trying to teach kids--if they're never corrected, while getting everything they want, there's no incentive to be nicer.
Until you said that, I had forgotten that I heard him make a similar comment to what you mentioned(also paraphrasing here LOL!) In response to a question - what will he do if he runs into Chavez while he's at the Summit. He said he would be polite to him - that what the American people expected of their Pres. I suppose that's true - many folks wouldn't take to kindly to our Pres making snide or rude remarks about or to foreign leaders (even though some of them and our past pres make ugly remarks about GWB). I think he needs to stay above the fray because of the office and he very much respects the office of the Presidency.
I agree w you - as he's staying "above the fray" and smiling and shaking hands w some of these twits who haven't helped us and often gone against the Pres, he can very politely say - you know [insert twit's name here] we really appreciate all of the *support* you've shown my Admin and the American people, but as you'll recall, we had they pesky little Katrina and Rita and we need to find funds to pay for it - -so, expect your aid from the US to start going down as of now.