June 23, 2009 4:52 PM

Obama Won't Apologize For CIA Role In Chile

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
World Affairs
(AP)
President Obama today met with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who told Mr. Obama he is "an idol" in her country. In a bit of evidence supporting that assertion, members of the Chilean press asked the president for a group photo, a request the president granted. (That picture is at left.)

The event was not simply a love fest: Asked by a reporter if he wanted to apologize for CIA involvement in Chilean elections, Mr. Obama did not do so. (More on the CIA's ties to Chile here.)

"I'm interesting in going forward, not looking backward," the president said. "I think that the United States has been an enormous force for good in the world."

"I think there have been times where we've made mistakes, but I think that what is important is looking at what our policies are today and what my administration intends to do in cooperating with the region," added Mr. Obama.

At his joint appearance with Bachelet, which followed a private meeting, the president also announced a partnership with Chile on clean energy and science.

"There is enormous interest, both in the United States and in Chile, on how we can develop solar power and wind power, biofuels and a whole host of other clean energy strategies that will make the people of both countries more prosperous and less dependent on imported energy needs," he said. "So we are going to be starting a cooperative project in Chile on this issue."

"In addition, we think that there's tremendous possibilities for cooperation on science and technology," continued the president. "And so, a specific project that we've discussed is a cancer research center that can help us make progress on that deadly disease."

Bachelet said Chile had been working with the U.S. Centers For Disease Control on combating flu.

"Whatever is learned from Chile, we have good diagnostic capacities, good registration capacity, will be of help for future treatments here in the United States for vaccine use and so on," she said.

Add a Comment
by pgodoy1 June 26, 2009 4:43 PM EDT
President Obama should apologize for U.S. involvement in toppling the democratically elected government of Chile as well is its involment in toppling other government and regimes throughout Latin America and the world. The CIA under the direction of the executive branch acted in self interest and paranio without taking into account the many lives that were lost and which are directly attributable to the U.S. involvement. Rather than supporting democracy, the United States toppled it in favor of a brutal dictatorship. President Obama, as a constitutional scholar and as a new president that wants to improve U.S. relations and fix our poor standing, should take responsibility and acknowledge our errors. Without doing so makes "going forward" much harder than it otherwise could be.
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by sumaya28 September 6, 2010 6:01 PM EDT
100% true if only more people would agree with what you are saying than america might not be disliked around the world.
by starleo146 June 23, 2009 6:48 PM EDT
Maybe Mr. President we should pull a Iran and take to the streets and ask the Republicans where are our votes' No 'just doesn't get it and the media is just as crazy as the republicans they want a story so they stir one up
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by starleo146 June 23, 2009 6:39 PM EDT
The Republican's motto find fault with every body and show these countries who we are, well we voted for change, not the same old rhet5oric dead or alive ,axis of evil, they can not even help the Americans on health care. Are they just the crunch of the bunch, please get rid of these hawks in the republican party and the rest that find doing ugly things like going to the Appalachian trail for a leisurely NAKED hike day and no one has seen or heard from him gheeze also adultery, tap dancing and page hunting. Let me tell you leave Obama alone he is honest and you can't stand it
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