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U.S. Embassy Asks Bush Twins to Leave Country
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ShareNovember 27, 2006 1:18 PM
Amid a growing barrage of front-page headlines, U.S. embassy officials "strongly suggested" President Bush's twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara Bush, cut short their trip to Buenos Aires because of security issues, U.S. diplomatic and security sources tell ABC News.
But the girls have stayed on, celebrating their 25th birthday over the weekend and producing even more headlines about their activities.
Officials say the media coverage upstaged publicity plans for the new U.S. Ambassador Anthony Wayne, who had only recently arrived in the country.
THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS
Neither the White House nor the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires responded to requests for comment.
The Argentinean press blitz followed a report on "The Blotter" last week that Barbara Bush's purse and cell phone were stolen last weekend while dining at the popular San Telmo outdoor marketplace despite being guarded by the Secret Service.
Stories of the twins' visit took on wild proportions in the Argentinean press. One tabloid headline had the young women running nude in the hallway of their hotel, a report the hotel staff denied to ABC News.
According to sources, the U.S. embassy encouraged the two girls to cut their stay short because the added attention was making their security very difficult.
But to the dismay and anger of some U.S. embassy and security staff, the girls stayed on.
Thursday night, an ABC News producer was able to walk into their hotel unchecked and engage Barbara Bush in conversation while she checked her e-mail on a computer in the lobby. Jenna sat talking with friends on a sofa nearby. No Secret Service agents were anywhere to be seen in the lobby, according to ABC News' Joe Goldman.
And yesterday the Bush twins were spotted at the Sunday soccer matches, wearing team jerseys and sitting in the owner's box, watching Argentina's top team Boca Juniors compete. Several games have been canceled due to violence in the crowds this year. In fact, last weekend no spectators were allowed to attend the match other than season ticket holders.
Sources tell ABC News the twins plan to stick to their original itinerary and stay in Buenos Aires until Thursday.
***
Official response from the US Embassy in Argentina:
We have seen a report from news sources stating that Embassy officials strongly suggested that President Bush’s daughters curtail their visit in Argentina.
This is false, as are other aspects of the report referring to the Embassy’s position on the visit.
The Embassy welcomes the visit and has provided close support and cooperation.
November 27, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (593)
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Molly, can you read??? the Argentines didn't ask them to leave, it was OUR OWN GOVERNMENT.
Posted by: Rick | Nov 27, 2006 2:49:05 PM
Molly: Read the article again. It says that the US Embassy is asking them to leave, not the Argentinian government. Doh!
Posted by: Mike | Nov 27, 2006 2:49:58 PM
Again, who cares?
Posted by: Rip | Nov 27, 2006 2:50:18 PM
Some jerk like Chavez or Castro might order someone to kidnap the twins in order to blackmail the U.S.A. Communists, Deomcrats- Chavez - whats the difference. If they can hurt the USA, they will do it.
Posted by: Richard | Nov 27, 2006 2:50:27 PM
Ah let them have fun, if they have problems they can blame their stupid father.
What do they expect when the father is a world renowned terrorist.
Posted by: Billie Bob | Nov 27, 2006 2:50:38 PM
its not about what the twins did! do you not understand that if it is easy to get to the twins then anyone can get to the twins? Imagine the power a rogue nation or terrorist would have over the United States if one of the twins were kidnapped? Argentina wants them to leave because it is too hard to keep them safe- as is evident by a reporter being able to just walk up to one of the twins and start talking to her. The twins and the President should know this and be more responsible
Posted by: heather | Nov 27, 2006 2:50:43 PM
It's a pity they don't have the same zeal for their father's war/invasion/occupation.
Posted by: William Justice | Nov 27, 2006 2:50:49 PM
Molly,
The article says it was the US Embassy not the Argentine government that asked the Bush twins to leave. Maybe the US ambassador is anti-American? lol
Posted by: dr__dawggy | Nov 27, 2006 2:51:01 PM
This is Another example of the Bush administration being run by everyone but President Bush.
Posted by: Chris Baker | Nov 27, 2006 2:51:24 PM
Just another example of the irresponsible press and other media which has ruined so many lives and cost others theirs.
When will a sense of decency come back to the press.
Posted by: John Jouett | Nov 27, 2006 2:51:52 PM
The U.S. EMBASSY asked the girls to leave because they are behaving in a manner that puts themselves in danger. It sounds as though they are acting irresponsibly even for an average U.S. citizen in a S.A. country, and they are the president's daughters (that means, they are in even more danger).
Posted by: Lisa | Nov 27, 2006 2:51:57 PM
The story should be focused on why it's apparently so difficult for the Secret Service to secure the twins. The sensationlistic press coverage is inane; what are two 25-year-old daughters of the president doing wrong in attending soccer matches, hitting the clubs and or being a victim of a purse snatching? Where is the story?
Posted by: Patrick Connole | Nov 27, 2006 2:51:58 PM
Why aren't they serving in Iraq?
Posted by: Kevin | Nov 27, 2006 2:51:58 PM
reading comprehension for the win.
IT WAS NOT the Argentine Government that asked them to leave
it was the US embassy.
in order to be informed you must be able to understand what you are talking about
Posted by: Warren | Nov 27, 2006 2:52:07 PM
The US embassy asked them to leave Molly, not the Argentine government. This fact is clearly stated in the headline.
Posted by: David B | Nov 27, 2006 2:52:21 PM
Fantastic! Always knew they were special but boca fans?!
Posted by: Ramses | Nov 27, 2006 2:52:21 PM
So why aren't the dear twins signing up for duty in Iraq? For their father's holy war to spread democracy around the Middle East. We're short of manpower there, and it'd be a great way to show the world that Bush and Cheney are absolutely right about how well things are going in Iraq.
Posted by: John Woods | Nov 27, 2006 2:52:23 PM
To the previous poster (Molly), please re-read the article. It was the US Embassy that asked them to leave, not the Argentine government. The request was made, ostensibly, for their safety, not for the collective safety of Argentina.
Posted by: Joe Hoff | Nov 27, 2006 2:52:27 PM
Molly: There's nothing in the article about the Argentinian gov't asking them to leave. It's the US Embassy in Argentina that wants them to go home.
Posted by: robbie | Nov 27, 2006 2:52:58 PM
Just more evidence of the Bush legacy of arrogance . . . the apples didn't fall far from the tree. "A real lady knows when it is time to leave a party. . . "
Posted by: Deb | Nov 27, 2006 2:53:37 PM
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