Venezuelan Minister Wasn't Recognized, U.S. Ambassador Says

[sabra]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aLheQV0wSSx4&refer=latin_america

Venezuelan Minister Wasn't Recognized, U.S. Ambassador Says

Sept. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Nicolas Maduro wasn't recognized by U.S. officials when he was temporarily detained on Sept. 23 at New York's John F. Kennedy airport, U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela William Brownfield said.

Maduro was stopped for additional security checks because he bought a one way ticket in cash on the same day as his departure, triggering suspicions, Brownfield said in an interview today with Globovision television.

``Everything indicates that security personnel had no idea who Foreign Minister Maduro was,'' Brownfield said. ``When they discovered who he was, they offered to accompany him to board the plane, but he decided not to and instead returned to the city.'' Brownfield repeated apologies for the incident. Maduro claims that U.S. officials threatened to assault him.

...

``He bought a one way ticket, and it's normal to buy a return ticket,'' Brownfield said. ``He also paid for it in cash, while 99 percent of passengers use their credit cards.'' Brownfield said the incident had nothing to do with Chavez's remarks at the United Nations and subsequent public appearances.

[ShortnFiery]

1. Bull Shit! The whorish M$M says he was held for 60 min vice 90 mins.

IMO, the mean spirited, petty minded leadership in Our Executive Branch gave the order. Why not, with the passing of The Torture Bill this week, they will have absolute power to drag any of us off of the street, not ever to be heard from again. :scared:

[mike_c]

2. BS-- he had a diplomatic passport....

More lies from the "authorities." His diplomatic passport should have been enough to clear up any confusion in minutes. It also means they knew exactly who he was.

[leveymg]

4. One check of their computer screen would have resolved any questions.

The proper procedure would have been to check his identity by comparing the photo in the passport with the data base. TSA has access to State Dept. records for all registered holders of diplomatic passports.

This is just provocation. Pretty heavy-handed, stupid stuff.

[ck4829]

3. Yeah right. He showed his ID and said he was a Diplomat.

[INDIA]

12. I thought he said that after he was already being detained...

Did he identify himself and present the ID initially at security? I haven't seen that. Do you have a link for an article stating that? All the articles I'm reading are RW Bull claiming otherwise.

[kenny blankenship]

5. Recognized? Isn't that why they carry diplomatic papers?

So they don't have to take out ads in the National Enquirer to get their face recognition up among airport workers?

[kurth]

6. Fucking bullshit. The guy had a diplomatic passport

What a pathetic excuse.

[Vidar]

7. Just like they didn't recognize McKinney.

[davidinalameda]

8. why did he pay in cash?

[ngant17]

10. cash payments are not an issue in this case

I don't see why paying cash for a one-way ticket should flag the system when we are dealing with foreign diplomats who have specific rights and priveledges which the rest of us don't have or need to have.

In fact, the US requires cash payments for any transactions dealing with the Cuban government and I would think they would also be doing this during the rare times the Cuban diplomats are permitted to travel here and pay for tickets to/from US. So there are exceptions which the US gov. makes and demands in its interests with foreign diplomacy. If the cash money was the best lame excuse they can come up with, they are more ignorant than I thought.

[davidinalameda]

16. maybe the airline didn't take a look at the passport when he bought

the ticket, and that's why it was flagged

and it's not the Cuban government but the Venezuelan

[ngant17]

18. Venezuela and Cuba have a lot in common

Maybe it has nothing to do with the actions of any particular airline personnel. And everything to do with politics and Bush's official hatred of Chavez. Why apoligize for these idiots anyway?

Bush is using the same dirty tactics to attack Venezuela as it uses to discredit Cuba.

Plots to assassinate Chavez, these were commonly done against the President of Cuba, Fidel Castro.

[davidinalameda]

20. but what caused the security people to be notified

did the system do it all on its own or did the airline employee who was selling the ticket

[ngant17]

22. hint: it's not the computer

The behavior by US agents against several members of the Venezeuala diplomatic delegation passing thru the airport was unwarranted.

It was a planned, staged event to boost the ratings before an election.

It has nothing to do with terrorism. They have a double-standard for terrorists, especially for the one who was convicted in a Venezuelan court and escaped prison with help from CIA and Daddy.

[Marie26]

9. That might be true

I bought a one-way ticket in cash once & was subjected to the same treatment. It seems to be one of the "suspicious" actions that triggers more intense security checks.

[Tellurian]

11. Chavez needs to have his own transportation..

for himself and his diplomats..

He can call his new plane AFUNO..

[pinerow]

13. As you know...all them Latinos look alike...

even when they don't...

[fshrink]

14. Lie even on small things. Imagine the bigger ones.

[silverweb]

15. Yeah, we really, really believe you.

:eyes:

[NOLADEM]

17. I'm torn

Half of me knows it was childish retribution from an administration with the interpersonal skills of an abused 8 year old.

The other half wonders from experience whether sheer incompetence and lack of accountability might have played a part.

Can both be right? (I love it when that happens)

[htuttle]

19. So they're saying we NORMALLY abuse and force travellers to strip?

...except when they're important?

:eyes:

Anyone who believes even a single fucking word that anyone from this administration utters is a big, dumbass rube.

[Porcupine]

21. Only when you use U.S. currency to pay in the U.S. y'know.

Because anybody who uses U.S. cash currency is clearly deranged see.

[warrens]

23. I was born at night, but not LAST night

There is no question this was retaliation. No question whatsoever. Typical classy Repuke behavior.