Thieving Mexican Sacked

It is courteous turn off cell phone and PDA' so that they will no interrupt meetings. At the White House meetings they take it a step further by asking members to leave such devices on a table outside of the meeting room. After a recent meeting between White House and Mexican diplomats, departing members found that the devices were gone. Hotel security included surveillance tapes and this captured the culprit Rafael Quintero Curiel stealing the equipment. Secret Service agents caught up with Quintero who had already reached the airport for a flight home. When confronted the thief initially denied taking the devices, then claimed the possession to be accidental, after confiscation Quintero asserted diplomatic immunity and boarded the plane home.

The news reached Mexico before the person, on arrival in Mexico City Quintero was asked to submit his resignation.

Mexican Embassy spokesman Ricardo Alday said...

Mr. Quintero will be responsible for explaining his actions to the American authorities conducting an investigation. The Mexican government deeply regrets this incident.

Whether the theft was for the purpose of financial gain or intelligence, being fired seems like a minor price to pay for the infraction. If it were me that grabbed the devices, jail would certainly be in my future. If the theft was for spying purposes, which I think unlikely for the devices would have been better protected, in days of old, an act punishable by hanging.

Knowing the current administration's penchant for weakness in dealing with the Mexican government, I expect that President Bush will issue Quintero a commendation for the safe return of the stolen items. After all we wouldn't want to ALIENATE our fine southern neighbors.

Here is the link that led me to this story: