Dear JC, Thank you for your interest in the legal aspects of this matter.
Within a short while of Hon. Faleiro's returning from Pearson airport in the early hours of Mon. 28 July morning, we had submitted a Note for Clarification to the Consulate-General of Brazil in Toronto. You are right that changes have occurred in all travel since 9/11. The Deputy Consul of Brazil, Jose Gilberto Jungblut however, immediately issued a Clarification in reply to Note Tor/551/1/2008, to the effect that in accordance with the bilateral agreement between the Brazilian and Indian Governments, signed on January 25, 2004, Hon. Faleiro, being in possession of an Indian diplomatic passport, did not need a consular visa to travel to Brazil. This particular agreement was executed between the respective Ministers for External Relations, Hons. Celso Amorim for Brazil, and Yashwant Sinha for India. Hon. Faleiro was on official Government business, and had all his papers in order. Perhaps the airline's lapse was officiousness or lack of communication. In any case, it has been acknowledged and the process of restitution commenced. Kind regards, Francis. --------- > >Dear Francis, > >Thank you for the clarification. I stand corrected. >The following however remains unchanged: If he was and he had any >official business in Brazil, he or the Govt of India would have to advise >the MFA Brasil of his visit. If he was on a private visit, hewould need a >visit visa. > >I submit that it is important for us to know that there have been changes >since 9/11. > >I find it impossible to believe that Air Canada would deny Mr. Faleiro >passage IF he had all the "papers" with him. > >IF they did - despite his being in possession of all the documents, they >surely need to pay up. > >IF they are "compensating" despite his NOT being in possession of all the >papers, that is another story. > >I know you will let us know. I further add that mere possession of a >diplomatic >passport does not guarantee safe passage to a third country. > >jc _________________________________________________________________
