Rub-a-dub-dub, here come the snubs

Well, that was my worst post title ever. Anyway, here’s the last paragraph in the Washington Post article on Bush’s U.N. speech:

A U.N. schedule for the day, later corrected, spelled the president's name "Busch." Annan took the unusual step of beginning his address in French. Just before Chirac addressed the assembly, Bush and his top aides -- Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John D. Negroponte -- left the hall. Chirac sat with the French delegation during Bush's speech and politely applauded. [Emphasis added]

Yesterday, I jokingly wondered why Annan had a translation earpiece on (see picture below) when we know he speaks English. Could it be that, like his French opening, it was a subtle way to snub the President? It’s odd, to say the least.