Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05SANTIAGO2394
2005-11-23 18:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002394
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM,
STATE FOR INL, INR/R/MR, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI IZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ
On November 23, conservative, influential newspaper-of-
record "El Mercurio" (circ. 16,807) carried a column by
international commentator Karin Ebensperger entitled,
"Iraq: Bush and Legitimacy." Quotes:
"The U.S. Constitution has always impressed me. It is
one of the most important works in man's political
history...understandably something of which Americans
are proud.
That is why I am very critical of the way in which
Washington sometimes carries out its foreign policy. A
society that began with visionary "Founding Fathers"
who sought a balance between national interests and a
moral focus on life is on occasion ruled by presidents
who use those elevated principles to act in a
questionable manner in other countries.
The invasion of Iraq is an example of this double
standard, in that Washington acts for its interests
while it preaches noble ideals. There is still
discussion on whether President Bush set upon Iraq for
oil...or to end the task his father chose to
postpone...or because he felt pressured after the
terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.
What we do know today is that the invasion did not
contribute to the anti-terrorism fight: it was never
proven that Hussein...had ties to Al Qaeda and the
weapons of mass destruction were never found.
President Bush did not perform at the level expected of
a leader of a great democracy, in which legitimacy is
conferred by the truth of the information given to the
people. Even if he did not act as a statesman upon
invading and he did not foresee the total collapse of
post-Hussein Iraq, Bush can still improve matters. The
manner of the withdrawal from Iraq and the conditions
in which that country is left will be more important
for history."
KELLY
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM,
STATE FOR INL, INR/R/MR, NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI IZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ
On November 23, conservative, influential newspaper-of-
record "El Mercurio" (circ. 16,807) carried a column by
international commentator Karin Ebensperger entitled,
"Iraq: Bush and Legitimacy." Quotes:
"The U.S. Constitution has always impressed me. It is
one of the most important works in man's political
history...understandably something of which Americans
are proud.
That is why I am very critical of the way in which
Washington sometimes carries out its foreign policy. A
society that began with visionary "Founding Fathers"
who sought a balance between national interests and a
moral focus on life is on occasion ruled by presidents
who use those elevated principles to act in a
questionable manner in other countries.
The invasion of Iraq is an example of this double
standard, in that Washington acts for its interests
while it preaches noble ideals. There is still
discussion on whether President Bush set upon Iraq for
oil...or to end the task his father chose to
postpone...or because he felt pressured after the
terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.
What we do know today is that the invasion did not
contribute to the anti-terrorism fight: it was never
proven that Hussein...had ties to Al Qaeda and the
weapons of mass destruction were never found.
President Bush did not perform at the level expected of
a leader of a great democracy, in which legitimacy is
conferred by the truth of the information given to the
people. Even if he did not act as a statesman upon
invading and he did not foresee the total collapse of
post-Hussein Iraq, Bush can still improve matters. The
manner of the withdrawal from Iraq and the conditions
in which that country is left will be more important
for history."
KELLY