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Bolivian president's plane forced to divert over a rumor Snowden was on board

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Re: Bolivian president's plane forced to divert over a rumor Snowden was on board

#2
At this point one has to ask the question: who's afraid of the big, bad USA? And the answer more and more seems to be "Everybody".

From Putin emphasising that Snowden stops hurting "Our friends the Americans", to the whole of Western Europe succumbing to their outrageous demands, not to mention the reversal of Ecuadorian President's change of stance after a talk with Biden.

Is this the States showing off it's true colours or is it the administration failing badly at handling this embarrassing situation? I honestly hope it's the latter.

Re: Bolivian president's plane forced to divert over a rumor Snowden was on board

#3

At this point one has to ask the question: who's afraid of the big, bad USA? And the answer more and more seems to be "Everybody". From Putin emphasising that Snowden stops hurting "Our friends the Americans", to the whole of Western Europe succumbing to their outrageous demands, not to mention the reversal of Ecuadorian President's change of stance after a talk with Biden. Is this the States showing off it's true co…

Agreements between these countries exists to allow them to call on the other signatories to deny specific planes airspace. Portugal could ask the USA to deny a specific plane airspace into the USA, if it felt so inclined.

I doubt this is pressure, but rather standard diplomatic channels.

Re: Bolivian president's plane forced to divert over a rumor Snowden was on board

#4
post #3

At this point one has to ask the question: who's afraid of the big, bad USA? And the answer more and more seems to be "Everybody". From Putin emphasising that Snowden stops hurting "Our friends the Americans", to the whole of Western Europe succumbing to their outrageous demands, not to mention the reversal of Ecuadorian President's change of stance after a talk with Biden. Is this the States showing off it's true co…

Agreements between these countries exists to allow them to call on the other signatories to deny specific planes airspace. Portugal could ask the USA to deny a specific plane airspace into the USA, if it felt so inclined. I doubt this is pressure, but rather standard diplomatic channels.

To follow your parallel, let's imagine it's not the plane of the Bolivian President, but say, Airforce One, flying over South America with Barack Obama on board towards Washington. Let's say Spain has suspicion that someone that broke Spanish law is on board.

Please, honestly, tell me you believe that The President's plane would be grounded?

Re: Bolivian president's plane forced to divert over a rumor Snowden was on board

#6
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreements between these countries exists to allow them to call on the other signatories to deny specific planes airspace. Portugal could ask the USA to deny a specific plane airspace into the USA, if it felt so inclined. I doubt this is pressure, but rather standard diplomatic channels.

To follow your parallel, let's imagine it's not the plane of the Bolivian President, but say, Airforce One, flying over South America with Barack Obama on board towards Washington. Let's say Spain has suspicion that someone that broke Spanish law is on board. Please, honestly, tell me you believe that The President's plane would be grounded?

As funny as that would be, I'd doubt it. Though in particular because I doubt Spain would risk calling for the closing of airspaces for Air Force One in the first place, because it would eventually mean Spain would have to face a massive diplomatic incident between them and the USA, and possibly wouldn't risk it.

It's ridiculous if the USA does not have to apologise following this incident.

Re: Bolivian president's plane forced to divert over a rumor Snowden was on board

#8
Related to Bolivia: "Bolivia president expels US aid agency" http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2013/05/2013512241536...

I wonder what's going on in the President's mind, he definitely is handling this situation with positive attitude, always smiling in front of cameras.

Re: Bolivian president's plane forced to divert over a rumor Snowden was on board

#9
According to AP, it turns out Bolivia's president was not denied entry into France and Spain, officials say.[0] As to why Bolivia would make such a claim, they did not comment.

[0] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/03/edward-snowden-a...

Re: Bolivian president's plane forced to divert over a rumor Snowden was on board

#10
post #9

According to AP, it turns out Bolivia's president was not denied entry into France and Spain, officials say.[0] As to why Bolivia would make such a claim, they did not comment. [0] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/03/edward-snowden-a...

Could it be that the US is trying to spin this by pressuring France and Spain to delete the radio record and say that Bolivia made it up? Do we know of any third-party pilots or ground stations who would have heard and recorded the radio comms?
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