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Brazil Detains U.S. Jet Crew Over Gesture

Posted on: Wednesday, 14 January 2004, 06:00 CST

The pilot of an American Airlines jet was detained Wednesday after making an obscene gesture when being photographed at the airport as part of a newly imposed entry requirement for U.S. citizens, federal police said. Eleven crewmembers from the airplane arriving from Miami were also detained, police said.

Brazil imposed requirements that Americans be fingerprinted and photographed at entry points in response the similar rules in the United States for citizens of Brazil and other countries whose citizens need visas to enter.

American Airlines spokeswoman Martha Pantin said the incident was the result of a misunderstanding under investigation by the airline, but did not provide more details.

"The company apologizes to the Brazilian government, the airport authorities, the police or anyone else who may have perceived anything they believe to have been disrespectful," Pantin said. She said the pilot and crew were still at the airport Wednesday afternoon.

Police said the pilot and crew were expected to leave the country later Wednesday. Various Brazilian news reports said the crew was detained for laughing at the pilot's gesture or for refusing to submit to the fingerprinting and photographing. Police would not give a reason for the crew's detention.

The incident is the latest flap in growing diplomatic spat between Brazil and the United States over the entry rules. Some American visitors have expressed annoyance at Brazil's requirements, while Brazil's Foreign Ministry said the U.S. rules could lead to a souring between the two nations.

The Brazilian requirement was first imposed at the order of the federal judge but on Monday it became the government's official policy, citing the diplomatic concept of "reciprocity."

On Monday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asked President Bush to drop the visa requirement for Brazilians entering the United States.

"Recent episodes, such as the new system of identification of travelers, create a negative climate in public opinion with inevitable political implications, which is not in the interest of the two countries," the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

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