Posted on 11/27/2006 11:30:43 AM PST by West Coast Conservative
Amid a growing barrage of front-page headlines, U.S. embassy officials "strongly suggested" President Bush's twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara Bush, cut short their trip to Buenos Aires because of security issues, U.S. diplomatic and security sources tell ABC News.
But the girls have stayed on, celebrating their 25th birthday over the weekend and producing even more headlines about their activities.
Officials say the media coverage upstaged publicity plans for the new U.S. Ambassador Anthony Wayne, who had only recently arrived in the country.
Neither the White House nor the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires responded to requests for comment.
The Argentinean press blitz followed a report on "The Blotter" last week that Barbara Bush's purse and cell phone were stolen last weekend while dining at the popular San Telmo outdoor marketplace despite being guarded by the Secret Service.
Stories of the twins' visit took on wild proportions in the Argentinean press. One tabloid headline had the young women running nude in the hallway of their hotel, a report the hotel staff denied to ABC News.
According to sources, the U.S. embassy encouraged the two girls to cut their stay short because the added attention was making their security very difficult.
But to the dismay and anger of some U.S. embassy and security staff, the girls stayed on.
Thursday night, an ABC News producer was able to walk into their hotel unchecked and engage Barbara Bush in conversation while she checked her e-mail on a computer in the lobby. Jenna sat talking with friends on a sofa nearby. No Secret Service agents were anywhere to be seen in the lobby, according to ABC News' Joe Goldman.
And yesterday the Bush twins were spotted at the Sunday soccer matches, wearing team jerseys and sitting in the owner's box, watching Argentina's top team Boca Juniors compete. Several games have been canceled due to violence in the crowds this year. In fact, last weekend no spectators were allowed to attend the match other than season ticket holders.
Sources tell ABC News the twins plan to stick to their original itinerary and stay in Buenos Aires until Thursday.
Sounds like the girls are as stubborn and courageous as their old man and grandma.
can you even imigine what a day in their life is like...
Which hotel was that again?
And was there additional violence? No. Connect the dots.
What does it mean "no Secret Service agents were anywhere to be seen in the lobby"? I know that at least two were disguised as potted plants.
That was Ollie North and The G-Man..........
Sounds like the media wants the girls to 'cut and run'.
Why would the State Department get involved? This is a White House matter, or at the very least, a Treasury Department matter since they provide security.
Ugly Americans.
Officials say the media coverage upstaged publicity plans for the new U.S. Ambassador Anthony Wayne, who had only recently arrived in the country.
The Twins aint skeerd. I'm proud of'em. ;o)
Uh, that's why they call them the "Secret" Service. Surely the agents were in the general vicinity.
Who hasn't?
This is just pink gossip. Must really twist the ABC twits' panties that these two are both beautiful and courageous.
Now, if they were related to Brangelina, think of how adoring the coverage would be.
Simply nasty nasty people these reporters at ABC are.
"U.S. embassy officials "strongly suggested" President Bush's twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara Bush, cut short their trip to Buenos Aires because of security issues"
Wonder if I am the only freeper to get kicked out of a town?
It only took a few hours before the local sheriff instructed us it was time to hit the road.
Not retreating seems to be a Bush genetic trait. :p
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