美國聲稱惡劣天氣可能導致B52偏離航線，原因正在調查；稱美國道歉或為中文媒體誤讀！

http://www.the-american-interest.com/2015/12/22/us-tells-beijing-that-b-52-flyover-was-a-mistake/

華爾街日報報導，五角大樓官員稱，他們稱正在調查，上周在執行任務時，，為什麽兩架B52中一架，飛的比預定計劃更接近有爭議的某島礁。一名軍隊高級官員稱，惡劣天氣可能使飛行員偏離了路線，進入了中國聲稱的區域。北京就此事進行了外交抱怨，促使五角大樓審視此事。

US Says that B-52 Flyover Was a Mistake
What exactly is President Obama’s strategy in the South China Sea? After dithering for months on whether to conduct freedom of navigation exercises, the White House finally went ahead and sailed a destroyer past a Chinese artificial island in October. Then there was some confusion as Pentagon and Administration officials said the operation had been mischaracterized. Now, after a U.S. B-52 bomber flew over a Chinese man-made island last week, officials are indicating that the Pentagon made a mistake. The Wall Street Journal:

Pentagon officials told The Wall Street Journal they are investigating why one of two B-52s on the mission last week flew closer than planned to Cuarteron Reef in the Spratly Islands, an area where China and its neighbors have competing territorial claims. A senior U.S. defense official said that bad weather had contributed to the pilot flying off course and into the area claimed by China.

Beijing filed a formal diplomatic complaint with the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, which prompted the Pentagon to look into the matter.

Given that the United States does not recognize China’s claims, it’s unclear why, even if the operation was a mistake, the Pentagon would publicly acknowledge as much. Such mixed signals make it difficult to put significant pressure on Beijing. Moreover, this backtracking comes after several strong indications that the navigation exercises had emboldened Pacific allies like Malaysia and the Philippines. Just two weeks ago, we observed how refreshing it was to see American leadership in the South China Sea. All good things must come to an end, we know, but, under this Administration, they often do so with unusual—and distressing—speed.