This live report was broadcast by Monocle 24 Radio on July 4, 2013.
Intro:
If you thought the Bush regime was a bit ham-fisted when it came to international diplomacy, the U.S. order to reroute the Bolivian president’s plane on a visit to Europe shows that Barack Obama can be a bull in a diplomatic tea shop too.
Evo Morales’ plane was on its way home from Moscow but was refused permission to land and refuel by France, Portugal, Spain and Italy because of American suspicions that the secret service whistleblower Edward Snowden was on board.
Cue angry statements by President Morales himself and his fellow leaders of South American nations. You’d think that might be the end of it, but in one tiny Boivian town, Monocle’s Frederick Bernas has found some serious lingering resentment.
He joins us now from Santa Cruz.
