LA PAZ: Bolivian President Evo Morales arrived home to a hero’s welcome, saying some European countries’ refusal to let his plane enter their airspace because of suspicion it carried fugitive US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden was a provocation aimed at all of South America.
Morales was greeted by his Cabinet and cheering, fist-pumping crowds at La Paz’s airport after a dramatic journey from Moscow that ignited a diplomatic furore when his plane had to make an unscheduled stop in Vienna on Tuesday evening.
“This was an open provocation toward a continent, not just a president,” said Morales, his hair strewn with flower petals. “North American imperialism uses its people to terrify and intimidate us. I just want to say they will never frighten us because we are a people of dignity and sovereignty.”
The Bolivian government said it had filed a formal complaint with the United Nations and was studying other legal avenues to prove its rights had been violated under international law.
Bolivia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Sacha Llorenti Soliz, said: “We have no doubt that it was an order from the White House. By no means should a diplomatic plane with the president be diverted from its route and forced to land in another country.” The White House declined to comment on the allegations.
US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed to hold talks between their security officials in coming days on US surveillance activities and security issues.
Bolivia is among more than a dozen countries where Snowden has sought asylum and Morales has said he would consider granting the American refuge. Five countries have rejected granting Snowden asylum, seven have said they would consider a request if made on their soil, and eight said they had either not made a decision or not received a request.
Reuters
