Article

2004-10-04 Caribbean-Latin America

Panama cancels diplomatic passport issued to actor Sean Connery

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Posted by Mark Espinola 2004-10-04 2:20:34 AM|| || Front Page|| [11134 views since 2007-05-07] Top

Which country did it?

Don't ever piss off a Scot, laddie...

Posted by BigEd 2004-10-04 2:03:28 PM|| 2004-10-04 2:03:28 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Does a diplomatic passport give you diplomatic immunity?

Yes, that's what they're for. So Sean was technically a Panamanian diplo while using it...

Posted by mojo 2004-10-04 2:55:09 PM|| 2004-10-04 2:55:09 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 thought he was Welsh....

Posted by Snorong Clorong5744 2004-10-04 2:58:17 PM|| 2004-10-04 2:58:17 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Uh, "Snoring" - Connery is a SCOTSMAN, lad.

Best not let him hear you dissin' him.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut 2004-10-04 6:02:02 PM|| 2004-10-04 6:02:02 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Uh no, a diplomatic passport doesn't give you immunity, far from it. This only works if you are acredited as a diplomat in the country you are in (or a spouse of somebody who is) and/or on official diplomatic business on behalf of the issuing country. You can buy lots of fake (and a few genuine) diplomatic passports (mainly from African nations). They might boost your ego and impress a few people who have no clue, but that's about it. With an African diplomatic passport you'd still need the same visas as with a regular African one.
In this case it's probably not about Sean Connery. The previous Panama government was far more U.S. friendly than the current one, so I guess they have their own friends to accomodate. Gives you a few perks in the issuing country and if you are a consul of Panama, well it looks nice on your letterhead (not that Sean would need such a thing).
Again, it doesn't mean much. It's just a nicety of the government issuing it and is of no real use without acreditation.
For example, a German diplomat acredited in the U.S. could travel to Canada with his German diplomatic passport, but his immunity would expire in Canada.
Oh wait, there is a benefit for holders without acreditation. Some Third World airports have special fast lanes at immigration for holders of diplomatic passports.

Posted by True German Ally 2004-10-04 6:27:37 PM|| 2004-10-04 6:27:37 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 No, he was still { Scotsman | Welsh } -- Visa's are issued by the country you are visiting - not the country you are from.

Now if Panama had given him a passport......

Posted by CrazyFool 2004-10-04 6:30:34 PM|| 2004-10-04 6:30:34 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Not exactly, CrazyFool. Of course he remained a British citizen and did therefore not need a visa for the U.S. (for example). But had he tried to enter the U.S. with his Panamian diplomatic passport, he would have needed a visa just like any Panamian citizen.

Posted by True German Ally 2004-10-04 6:48:33 PM|| 2004-10-04 6:48:33 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 TGA there is no such thing as a British citizen, they are subjects.

Posted by The Lord God 2004-10-04 8:15:47 PM|| 2004-10-04 8:15:47 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 Of course Sean has been babbling on about Scottish independance from his home in Marbella (Spain) for yonks. Splitter!!! - great Bond!, twat of a bloke.

Posted by Tony (UK) 2004-10-04 8:33:22 PM|| 2004-10-04 8:33:22 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 born 1930 Edinburgh....

Posted by Frank G 2004-10-04 8:34:37 PM|| 2004-10-04 8:34:37 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 The Lord God
You might want to tell the BRITISH EMBASSY

Posted by True German Ally 2004-10-04 8:51:40 PM|| 2004-10-04 8:51:40 PM|| Front Page Top

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