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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Itchy Crowd Boos Gore, Russia Leader

Associated Press

Vice President Al Gore brought Russia’s prime minister to see America’s heartland Saturday only to get an angry reception from an auto show crowd forced to cool its heels while the dignitaries got a tour.

“Refund! Refund!” hundreds of Chicago Auto Show ticket buyers chanted as Secret Service agents barred them from entering the auto show for 40 minutes while Gore was inside with Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin.

Waves of booing erupted periodically from the auto enthusiasts as they waited, and sustained booing met Gore and Chernomyrdin when they emerged from the show to make remarks.

The remarks were cut short.

“We apologize for being late,” Gore said over a din of booing.

With that he gave the microphone to Chernomyrdin who made brief remarks in Russian to the Chicagoans, who were still roaring their disapproval.

The officials were on the speaker’s platform for less than one minute each.