When asked about Columbia’s illegal violation of Ecuador’s territory:
Statement from Hillary Clinton – 3/3/2008

“Hugo Chavez’s order yesterday to send ten battalions to the Colombian border is unwarranted and dangerous. The Colombian state has every right to defend itself against drug trafficking terrorist organizations that have kidnapped innocent civilians, including American citizens. By praising and supporting the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, Chavez is openly siding with terrorists that threaten Colombian democracy and the peace and security of the region. Rather than criticizing Colombia’s actions in combating terrorist groups in the border regions, Venezuela and Ecuador should work with their neighbor to ensure that their territories no longer serve as safe havens for terrorist groups. After reviewing this situation, I am hopeful that the government of Ecuador will determine that its interests lie in closer cooperation with Colombia on this issue. Hugo Chavez must call a halt to this provocative action. As president, I will work with our partners in the region and the OAS to support democracy, promote an end to conflict, and to press Chavez to change course.”

Now, when the OAS met, the U.S. and Colombia were so isolated, for obvious reasons, that they had to agree to a consensus resolution that rebuked their claim that the raid was justified. Here is the declaration:

‘In Washington, the Organization of American States passed a consensus resolution that used mutually acceptable language to rebuke Colombia for having violated Ecuadorean sovereignty Saturday in a raid that killed a high-ranking rebel leader and 16 others.

The 34-member organization voted to “reaffirm the principle that the territory of a state is inviolable and may not be the object, even temporarily, of military occupation or of other measures of force taken by another state, directly or indirectly, on any grounds whatsoever.”‘

Clinton’s sabre rattling against Chavez may echo well with other conflicts, interests, and please supporters like AIPAC, or Cuban expatriates in Miami, appearing to ride roughshod over any legal considerations, but shows a complete lack of grasp either of the situation, or it’s consequences, and the long term need for a change of US diplomatic approach and relations with Latin American states.

This action by Columbia, was undoubtedly approved by the present US Administration, by the way, probably caused Ingrid Betancourt, and 4 Americans included in 12 hostages which were nearly released, but to have their forced stay with FARC extended, since the leader, Raul Reyes, who was killed along with 16 others, was the one handling the negotiations, most likely on the very same satellite telephone which was used to guide the missiles to its target, undoubtedly with CIA help.

So, just from this we see the kind of 3 A.M. reply we might expect from Hillary Clinton, and it is wrong and dangerous!

If I were to pick one ground on which to object to her, it’s her foreign policy team: Holbrooke, Albright, Berger.

Not just at 3 a.m., but at any hour during her husband’s administration, they were all too willing to order B-52s airborne.