CHILEANS LAMENT EXPULSION OF U.S. AMBASSADORS

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000840 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC, EEB/IFD, INR/IAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL BL VE CI SUBJECT: CHILEANS LAMENT EXPULSION OF U.S. AMBASSADORS ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met separately with Interior Minister Perez Yoma and Foreign Minister Foxley and briefly discussed the expulsions of Ambassadors Duddy and Goldberg from Venezuela and Bolivia. Both Chilean Ministers expressed surprise and disappointment with the developments. Perez Yoma called the expulsions shameful and senseless. Foxley recounted his personal experience with an inexplicable Morales-directed assault against Chile. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) During a September 12 meeting (septel) with Interior Minister Edmundo Perez Yoma, Ambassador Simons said the two expelled U.S. Ambassadors from Bolivia and Venezuela were first-rate, career diplomats. Neither is impulsive nor were they trying to provoke a fight. The Ambassador added both were good friends and had advanced together with him through the ranks of the diplomatic service. ¶3. (SBU) Perez Yoma described the expulsions as shameful ("verguenza") and senseless, indicating the irresponsible actions were taken to hide internal problems. He agreed that there is no internal coordination within the Bolivian government and often the Defense and Interior Ministries are given separate instructions and do not know what each other is doing. ¶4. (SBU) On September 11, the Ambassador discussed the expulsion of Ambassador Goldberg with Foreign Minister Foxley. The Foreign Minister shared a personal and inexplicable action directed by President Morales. Prior to the OAS meeting of Foreign Ministers in Medellin last May, the Bolivian Foreign Minister briefed Foxley confidentially that he had been instructed to strongly criticize Chile. Foxley warned that he would be obliged to respond and urged that the Bolivian not do it. The Bolivian Foreign Minister responded he had no choice, and the two went through the unfortunate motions, Foxley said. SIMONS