President Obama: U.S. Rejects Plots Against Democratic Leaders

[cal04]

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/04/19/washington/politics-us-summit-obama-bolivia.html

U.S. President Barack Obama, commenting on an alleged assassination plot denounced by Bolivian President Evo Morales, said on Sunday his administration "absolutely opposed" the violent overthrow of democratically elected governments.

On Thursday, Morales said three suspected mercenaries were killed in the anti-Morales stronghold of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, after the police arrested a gang that officials said traveled from either Ireland or Croatia to slay him.

(snip)
He later told a news conference Obama should repudiate the assassination attempt publicly and criticized what he said was U.S. meddling in Bolivia. Some press accounts said he was suspicious of U.S. involvement.

(snip)
"I just want to make absolutely clear that I am absolutely opposed and condemn any efforts at violent overthrows of democratically elected governments, wherever it happens in the hemisphere," Obama said.

"That is not the policy of our government. That is not how the American people expect their government to conduct themselves," he added. "And so I want to be as clear as possible on that."

[Cha]

1. "Either Ireland or Croatia"?

Big difference. Of course, our President doesn't condone assassinations of anyone much less the Presidents of South American countries he just me at the Summit of the Americas.

[ClarkUSA]

2. The incident in question happened under BushCo, of course. Pres. Obama abhors the idea.

He acknowledged the United States' history of involvement in the region that has left many countries mistrustful. He said he emphasized in his talks with the leaders the need to move forward despite the past.

"I am responsible for how this administration acts," Obama said, "and we will be respectful to those democratically elected governments, even when we disagree with them."

[EFerrari]

4. The last incident happened last week. n/t

[ClarkUSA]

6. I was referring to the one which involved the U.S. ambassador back in September.

[EFerrari]

8. That's right. I bet Bush gave that idiot a medal. n/t

[Enrique]

3. contrary to NY Times opinion

(flashback)

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/13/opinion/hugo-chavez-departs.html?sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

With yesterday's resignation of President Hugo Chávez, Venezuelan democracy is no longer threatened by a would-be dictator. Mr. Chávez, a ruinous demagogue, stepped down after the military intervened and handed power to a respected business leader, Pedro Carmona. But democracy has not yet been restored, and won't be until a new president is elected. That vote has been scheduled for next spring, with new Congressional elections to be held by this December. The prompt announcement of a timetable is welcome, but a year seems rather long to wait for a legitimately elected president.

(...)

[EFerrari]

5. "Respected business leader, Pedro Carmona". That's rich. n/t

[AndyTiedye]

7. I Believe This is OBAMA'S Policy, BUT…

I don't think the part of the government that engages in this sort of activity considers itself answerable to Obama
(or any other Democratic President, for that matter).

[EFerrari]

9. My fear is that Morales has messed with the drug trade

that "part of our government" engages in when they're not torturing innocent people.