And so Hil's State Department continues to eat humble pie, this time in Chile. Wonder if Pinera got pissed off as a result and decided to recognize a free and sovereign Palestine -- to spite Hil and company.
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U.S. Amb. Wolff, "I'm sorry we labeled you a crook, Mr. President."
(Well, not exactly in those words.)
US embassy Wikileak questions Chilean president Piñera’s business practices
United States Ambassador to Chile Alejandro D. Wolff apologized to Chile’s President Sebastian Piñera for Wikileak revelations that showed U.S. officials questioning the past businessman practices of Piñera during last year’s presidential runoff race between the Conservative coalition candidate and Senator Eduardo Frei, of the center-left Concertacion coalition
~~~~~~ snip caps mine ~~~~~~
“Driven and competitive, Sebastian Piñera pushes both his businesses and his politics to THE LIMITS OF THE LAW AND ETHICS. Some of his actions--such as lending money to fictitious companies--SEEM TO CLEARLY CROSS THE LINE INTO LEGAL IMPROPRIETY. At other times, though, he seems more to be a victim of circumstance, carelessness, or the sheer vastness of his fortune.”
Following the release of the cable, Ambassador Wolff said in a statement: “The government of the United States HAS HIGH OPINION, GREAT RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR PRESIDENT SEBASTIAN PINERA, who has worked hard for the best interests of his country and people.”
More (English)
http://en.mercopress.com/2011/01/06/us-embassy-wikileak-questions-chilean-president-pinera-s-business-practices If anyone wants to read the entire cable
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Cable/Embajada/EE/UU/Santiago/intereses/privados/Pinera/elpepuint/20101227elpepuint_13/Tes