Snowden on Board? Bolivian President's Plane Forced to Land in Austria

[Magda Hassan]

From http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul...NTCMP=SRCH

[URL="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/spain"]
Spain[/URL] says it and other European countries were told that the NSAwhistleblower Edward Snowden was on board the Bolivian presidential plane that was diverted to Austria this week, causing a diplomatic row.

The foreign minister, José Manuel García-Margallo, said on Spanish National Television on Friday that "they told us that the information was clear, that he was inside".
The minister did not say who supplied the information and declined to say whether he had been in contact with the United States. But he said European countries' reactions were based on this information.

They do not even dare to name the beast. Spineless cowards.

I agree on your statement 'spineless cowards', but hasten to add, that even IF Snowden HAD been on the plane, international law clearly gives such a flight total diplomatic immunity from being diverted, seized or searched. Imagine forcing AF-1 with the US President down because some criminal or terrorist was suspected to be inside [as is more often the case than not]! All is power now...there is no longer law...just brute power. All the last century or two of international diplomatic and humanitarian agreements are just thrown out the window. We are now in a new era - and one I greatly fear.

Yes, Snowden could have been inside the plane and waving at them all with his null and voided US passport in his other hand and he still would have been 'untouchable' under International Law and the Vienna Convention. The presidential plane is Bolivian soveriegn territory. Except the US think they own the world.