ARGENTINA: President Cristina Fernandez derides old Europe for remnants of colonialism

Record ID: 447456

  • Title: ARGENTINA: President Cristina Fernandez derides old Europe for remnants of colonialism
  • Date: 3rd July 2013
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (JULY 03, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF UNASUR COMMUNIQUE
  • Embargoed: 18th July 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA7WHHVZQJ1YOKWVKUEEXF2NROJ
  • Story Text: Argentine President Cristina Fernandez railed on European powers on Wednesday (July 3) saying the diversion of Bolivia's Presidential aircraft on suspicions it carried U.S. fugitive Edward Snowden was a testament to 'remnants of colonialism in old Europe'.
    The Bolivian plane taking President Evo Morales home from an energy conference in Moscow, was diverted to Austria when it was rumoured it might be carrying Snowden, a fugitive U.S. intelligence analyst.
    The plane was stranded at Vienna airport for several hours after Portugal and France refused to allow it to fly through their airspace.
    "With his (Bolivian President Evo Morales') presidential, military plane which has absolute and indisputable immunity and was illegally detained in old Europe. And when I say in 'old Europe', I'm not just using a phrase. Remnants of colonialism that we thought we had totally overcome we believe not only represent the humiliation of a sister country, but also of the South American continent," Fernandez said while speaking at Argentina's National Military College.
    Several heads of state in the South American bloc Unasur strenuously rejected the move and demanded an explanation for "unfriendly and unjustifiable acts."
    The leaders of Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela are planning to meet in Cochabamba, Bolivia on Thursday (July 4) to address the diplomatic spat.
    "This meeting will be in Bolivia instead of having it in Lima. I think it is most appropriate way to restore not only President Evo Morales, but the very Bolivian people. I said this as well. I spoke with (Uruguayan) President 'Pepe' Mujica, he totally agreed. (Ecuadorean President) Rafael (Correa) too. And I think it is the right thing to do because though the offence was committed against the entire South American nation, it was especially directed at the Bolivian people who we should obviously atone," Fernandez said.
    The positions of Unasur members Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Peru have not been publicly made.
    The 30-year-old Snowden is believed to be still in the transit area of a Moscow airport, where he has been trying since June 23 to find a country that will offer him refuge from prosecution in the United States on espionage charges.
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