Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The long shadow of Richard Nixon

The National Security Archive has released a formerly classified memo about a meeting between President Richard Nixon and Brazilian President Emilio Médici in 1971 during which Nixon offers U.S. support and assistance to Brazil in the possible overthrow of Chilean socialist Salvador Allende. It's one more piece of evidence -- already well known and documented -- proving American complicity in plans to overthrow the first elected socialist government in Latin America. And it's another coup for the NSA, housed at American University in Washington, D.C., which has made a name for itself by uncovering official documentation regarding the dark side of America's foreign policy. The NSA's release of the document has sent ripples through Brazil and Chile, especially, with some observers, including Isabel Allende, demanding to know the full extent of Brazil's role in the overthrow of Allende.

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