We even get to stop planes of other heads of state!
The European rerouting of the Bolivian presidential plane over suspicions that National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden was aboard ignited outrage Wednesday among Latin American leaders who called it a stunning violation of national sovereignty and disrespect for the region.
But as President Evo Morales headed home after an unplanned 14-hour layover in Vienna, there was no immediate sign that Latin America anger would translate into a rush to bring Snowden to the region that had been seen as likeliest to defy the U.S. and give him asylum.
Snowden was still believed to be in the transit area of Moscow’s international airport. As his case grinds on, it appears to illustrate the strength of U.S. influence, despite the initial sense that the Obama administration lost control of the situation when China allowed Snowden to flee Hong Kong.
Morales originally planned to fly home from a Moscow summit via Western Europe, stopping in Lisbon, Portugal and Guyana to refuel. His plane was diverted to Vienna Tuesday night after his government said France, Spain and Portugal all refused to let it through their airspace because they suspected Snowden was on board. Spain’s ambassador to Austria even tried to make his way onto the plane on the pretext of having a coffee to check that Snowden wasn’t there, Morales said.
Morales had sparked speculation that he might try to help Snowden get out during a visit to Russia after he said that his country would be willing to consider granting him asylum. Austrian officials said Morales’ plane was searched early Wednesday by Austrian border police after Morales gave permission. Bolivian and Austrian officials both said Snowden was not on board.
Morales is now threatening to close the U.S. embassy.
Might makes right. And any of you not mighty enough, you don’t get to declare when laws do or do not apply to you.
Capiche?
The US sees itself as the Godfather of the world.
Speaking of “Godfathers” a coup, or a hit, is a coup. When the military “removes” a democratically elected president from power it’s a coup. There is no dancing around the fact that what happened in Eqypt was a military coup. The U.S. has laws about how we treat those who stage military coup’s. Egypt’s coup was not unlike the “velvet” coup which follwed the assassination of JFK. Speaking of “Godfathers.”
Close the US embassy already. It’s a CIA viper’s nest anyways. While you are at it, expel the ambassadors of Spain, Portugal, France and Austria. Then the OAS should close airspace to American government over flight.
lless, sometimes you astonish me. In a good way.
Venezuela and Nicrargua have both offered asylum!