Re: [Goanet] NRI Commish Cooling His Heels in Toronto (final)
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
Re: [Goanet] NRI Commish Cooling His Heels in Toronto (final)
-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.
