Posted on 11/29/2005 7:57:39 PM PST by rdb3
U.S. Lawmakers Denied Entry to Venezuela
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
WASHINGTON — The State Department confirmed Tuesday that Venezuela government officials apologized after a U.S. congressional delegation was not allowed to get off its plane during a scheduled stop to the nation during a trip to South America.
Reps. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., Tom Lantos, D-Calif., Mel Watt, D-N.C., Eni Faleomavaega, D-American Samoa, Diane Watson, D-Calif., and Luis Fortuno, R-Puerto Rico, and their aides weren't allowed to disembark from their plane Monday after they landed in Caracas for what was dubbed an official visit by the congressional delegation.
"I'm not sure what version of events has come out from the Venezuelan government," said Sean McCormack, a spokesman for the State Department. "But I can tell you that they have apologized for what happened." McCormack said the message was "conveyed to our embassy" in Caracas.
Despite State Department claims, the said in a press release issued Tuesday that it is not apologizing, but placing the blame for the confusion at the on the Americans for not following proper procedures.
The statement from the Venezuelans said visas for the American delegates were processed on time by the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, D.C. But when they arrived, the gate requested by the American delegation was being used by the defense minister for Spain, delaying their unloading.
"The fact that airport officials had to use another gate caused the aircraft to be delayed a few more minutes than is regularly estimated to proceed with these types of visits," reads the release.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
State department tools. Chavez thought he'd have a little fun.
I wouldn't want this trash in my county either-oh wait,they're already here!
poor self-important Dems...
Personally, I'd rather they didn't go there anyway. Chavez is a disgusting POS.
cool! Maybe now that they know how closed borders work, they can implement those measures at home.
"placing the blame for the confusion at the on the Americans for not following proper procedures."
It is to laugh. Dorothy, you're not in Kansas now!
Notification protocols boloxed...rules don't apply to us....( ha ha)
Venesuela needs all the graft money they can get from the US. Yes, they have some oil we need. But they need us more than we need them.
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