Spain apologizes to Bolivia for incident with Morales' plane

[morningfog]

The Spanish government on Monday presented to Bolivia a note apologizing for the July 2 incident involving President Evo Morales' plane and expressed confidence that the issue had been put to rest and that bilateral relations will remain on an even keel.

The note was delivered to the Bolivian Foreign Ministry by Spain's ambassador to La Paz, Angel Vazquez, who expressed regret for the role played in the episode by the Spanish envoy to Austria, Alberto Carnero.

* * *

Morales, who was on his way back to Bolivia after attending a conference in Moscow, said Carnero also tried to board the plane.

* * *

"I have to acknowledge that perhaps the procedures used at the Vienna airport on the part of our representative were not the most efficacious," said Vazquez on Monday in La Paz.

"Spain and Bolivia have relations that go far beyond any incident, any circumstance like the one we've now experienced and I hope and I'm sure that the Bolivian authorities understand them in the same way," he added.

The note Vazquez delivered presents Spain's apology to Bolivia for what occurred, but it also explains in detail the actions taken by Madrid, Vazquez said.

http://www.laprensasa.com/309_america-in-english/2133669_spain-apologizes-to-bolivia-for-incident-with-morales-plane.html

[allin99]

1. Good.

[BlueCheese]

2. Okay, then.

"I have to acknowledge that perhaps the procedures used at the Vienna airport on the part of our representative were not the most efficacious."

I guess that counts as an apology in diplomacy-speak.

[Douglas Carpenter]

3. if the Spanish Government had the sense to read DU they would know that nothing ever happened and

they have nothing to apologize for.

[Catherina]

7. Good one! n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Worst case a defective fuel gauge

[Cleita]

4. Well that's a start. Let's hope the other countries involved in this farce also send

some regrets for being Uncle Sam's poodles.

[DirkGently]

5. Think Spain isn't p*ssed at us for putting them in this spot?

[Catherina]

8. Spain has such a long history (this decade) of arrogance in the region

that they didn't need this. I wonder if this is really the end of this incident for them.

[Catherina]

6. I apologize for duping you. Please accept this letter

I apologize for duping you. I was slow translating lol http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023267929

"perhaps the procedures" ? Perhaps?

[frylock]

10. so that's two countries apologizing for something that allegedly never happened?

hmmnnn.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. It was a defective fuel gauge...that *is* the official story