MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Peru to withdraw ambassador from Chile because of alleged military espionage
“This is a matter which falls exclusively to Peru,” Chile's foreign minister, Heraldo Munoz, said of Lima's decision to pull its ambassador out. Peru said it was withdrawing its ambassador from Chile, amid an intensifying diplomatic spat that was sparked by accusations of military espionage. The Peruvian government is prosecuting two non-commissioned officers in its navy and investigating a third for allegedly spying for neighboring Chile.
The case has soured relations just a year after an international court decision that settled a festering maritime boundary dispute had raised expectations their long history of mutual distrust was past.
Peru has urged its southern neighbor to carry out an investigation to find those responsible for the spying and to guarantee that it won't happen again.
In announcing the decision to withdraw its envoy, Peru's foreign ministry reiterated its demand Chile swiftly hand over results of its investigations into the spying allegations.
Peru would “proceed with withdrawing its ambassador from Santiago” until it deemed itself satisfied, the foreign ministry stated.
Chile responded by saying it would not comment on the sovereign decision of another country.
“This is a matter which falls exclusively to Peru,” Chile's foreign minister, Heraldo Munoz, said of Lima's decision to pull its ambassador out. “In as much as we will not comment on the sovereign decision of other countries, we don't accept that other countries pass comment on sovereign decisions our country might take.”
It is not the first time the two countries have been embroiled in rows over spying. In 2010, an officer in the Peruvian air force was jailed for 35 years for selling information to Chile.
The head of Peru's military courts has said that the trial of the two naval officers might not wrap up until August and that ongoing investigations are probing whether high-ranking officers were also involved.
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all commentsEverybody spies on everybody else, (if they have the means to do so).
Mar 09th, 2015 - 08:38 am 0Peruvian officials just need to 'grow-up' a little.
I am glad to see the Chileans are taking the classic British response of 'I couldn't possibly comment'.
haha!
Brilliant response by Heraldo Munoz, (see above).
“In as much as we will not comment on the sovereign decision of other countries, we don't accept that other countries pass comment on sovereign decisions our country might take.”
Sir Humphrey of 'Yes Minister' would by so proud of having 'advised' his Minister to respond in such a manner (quick nod to ChrisR, who am sure is a fan?)
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Diplomacy is about surviving until the next century - politics is about surviving until Friday afternoon.
Nicely put, ilsen!
Mar 09th, 2015 - 09:00 am 0@2 Thank You Troy T.
Mar 09th, 2015 - 10:14 am 0Ar you a fan of 'Yes, Minister' also?
If not, I suggest you YouTube it, or whatever the young people say/do these days!
I think you might like it.
;-)
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!