Chilean Obstruction and Incompetence

November 20, 2004

The Chilean government needs to apologize to Bush for stopping his secret Service Agents from accompanying him into a dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, in Santiago, Chile.

Apparently, after posing for the usual pictures with the Chilean President Lagos. G.W. and Laura stepped inside for dinner but as they did so, Chilean guards stopped the secret service from following Bush as they are expected to do.

It got so bad that Bush had to go over to the crowd, reach in and pull his agent to him. Good for Bush, bad for Chilean President Ricardo Lagos.

This should have never happened.

The pictures of the scuffle were interesting and they show a man not about to let his protection leave his side. Bush was right to step in an pull an agent to his side but he should not have had to do this. The Chilean government knew who was there and why and this should have never happened. Never.

The Chilean government is incompetent for this to happen, there is no excuse. None. It is, as we say in America, "A buncha bullshit." It also disrespects the American people.

It makes one think there was a conspiracy a foot to isolate Bush for nefarious purposes. In today's un-secure world, this is not wild speculation.

Security is an issue whenever a head of state visits. Chilean President Ricardo Lagos needs to straighten this out so it never happens again either to Bush or to any other head of state visiting his country.