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.
And their big crime to donna..........they're RICH.
Sounds like a little leftwing class envy to me. You too??
No, it doesn't. They are free to go where they wish. If their father did not want them there he could use his influence with them.
It amazes me people think they have the right to tell the Bush Twins where they should or should not vacation.
Maybe this one just decided to make up the news and change the truth.
Wouldn't be the first time.
That makes no sense whatsoever.............does it?? C'mon!
Actually it does. A local media frenzy, problems with security (already documented) and the potential for more problems.
But I'm naturally cautious.
The wheel's turning but the hamster's dead........if you know what I mean. ;)
Odds are good they'll be out of the country in 24 hours.
Give it a rest! Just because some leftist "journalist" said those things doesn't make them true, does it?
This is media exaggeration an least........complete fabrication at worst. That's just my take on it.
Why should they leave?
It's not just a leftist journalist, it's the local press, which is believed in many, many countries. If some BA newspaper says they were running nekkid in the hallway, then a good portion of the population will believe it. What's more, the story will be picked up by papers around the world and will be believed.
Also, they not just Ameican citizens.
I mean that's all the State Department IS.......regulations.
They couldn't break their own rules because of Argentinian tabloids. That would be silly.
I'm sure it was done out of boredom more than anything. I don't think this is what the reporter dreamed of when he signed up to be the next Bob Woodward.
The Bush twins are adults who can date who they want and travel where they want.
Uh, no. And for all the very obvious reasons.
LOL! Got to be a disappointing assignment for someone who's looking for Deep Throat. :)
That's why they have security... We're not talking about going to Baghdad or Bogota; we're talking about vacationing in a relatively safe Latin American country.
I mean that's all the State Department IS.......regulations.
Again, no. The State Department is a vital branch of the U.S. government.
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