Dear Jose and Paulo,
Thank you for your interest in this matter. Paulo has rationalised the logic admirably. As mentioned earlier, the matter was equitably settled - an apology issued and the quantum of compensation negotiated. As an aside, may I mention that Hon. Faleiro was pleasantly checked-in by Air Canada, baggage loaded and his business- class boarding pass issued. It was only at the time of boarding that an official appeared to have misinterpreted the situation. Anyway, that's all water under the bridge now Hon. Faleiro is safely back in India, and Jose has gently signed off as "final":) Francis. ---------------------- From: "Paulo Colaco Dias" 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. _________________________________________________________________ If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208