By Andrew Duncan
18:58, April 6th 2008
Mark Penn, chief campaign strategist for Hillary Clinton, met with Colombia's ambassador to the U.S. to discuss a bilateral free-trade agreement, The Wall Street Journal reported. Sen. Clinton was against the idea of a trade deal with Colombia. This wasn't a mission related to his campaign role.
He did that in order to accomplish his second role, as chief executive of Burson-Marsteller Worldwide, an international communications and lobbying firm. According to fillings to the Justice Department, the company has signed a contract with the South American nation to promote congressional approval of the trade deal, The WSJ reports.
After the meeting he publicly expressed his regrets, apologizing, attitude which offended the Colombian government and determined it to fire him. The news were released Saturday morning after the WSJ reported that Mr. Penn had met with Colombia's ambassador to the U.S on Monday.
At the same time, the Colombian government was offended by a statement made by Mr. Penn after the meeting. He said it was “an error in judgement.” ...
http://www.enews20.com/news_Colombian_Government_Fires_Mark_Penn_PR_07048.html