> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:goanet- > [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of J. Colaco < jc> > Sent: 31 July 2008 13:07 > To: Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994! > Subject: Re: [Goanet] NRI Commish Cooling His Heels in Toronto (final) >
Jose wrote: > It is my understanding - and you may correct me on this one that: > > (d) Diplomatic passports are issued to diplomats. Government officials > are issued "official passports". PAULO: No, Jose. Each country as the right to issue diplomatic passports to whoever the country elects to represent the country. Diplomatic passports can indeed be issued to non diplomatas. I am personally aware of a non diplomat person who has recently been issued a Portuguese Diplomatic passport to represent Portugal in another country. Of course the validity of those diplomatic passports is usually very limited. Jose wrote: > (e) Even if one has a diplomatic passport, the need for a visa is not > obviated. In fact, there is a need for a diplomatic-visa even if > ordinary passport holders of that country did not require a visa for > visit. The exception is when there is inter-governmental agreement. PAULO: Absolutely. But most countries have inter-governmental agreements. I am somewhat surprised that a diplomatic passport holder like Eduardo Faleiro has been stopped at Toronto airport. The Indian government not only should demand a refund but also compensation from the Air Canada. The clerk from Air Canada should have checked and in doubt should have allowed him to go through. This is totally unacceptable! I am sure they would not do that to a diplomat from the United States or from the United Kingdom. So why would they do that to a diplomat from India? If they were unable to check, they should have allowed him to go through freely. If I was Eduardo Faleiro I would demand compensation and an apology, for sure. This is most unacceptable. Jose wrote: > (f) There was this inter-governmental agreement, BUT how was check-in > agent at Air Canada to know this ...at the Airport, that too just > before departure? > PAULO: In doubt they should have let him go! Imagine if this was an important meeting. Who would take the responsibility? The clerk from Air Canada? Jose wrote: > That brings me back to the original point i.e. The NRI office (Goa) > goofed up big time. > PAULO: I think Air Canada is more to be blamed than the NRI office! It is unacceptable treatment from Air Canada. I would be extremely upset if it had happened to me and would sue them. As I said, they would not dare to do this to a diplomat from US, UK, France, Germany, etc. even if they could not check if there was an agreement or not. So why did they do it to a diplomat from India? Terrible from Air Canada! Best regards Paulo Colaco Dias.