Sunday, March 20 2005 10:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Vadodara (Gujarat): Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) in United States has decided to cancel invitation to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, following the decision of Bush administration to deny him a visa to travel to the country.

This was stated by Mike Patel, founder chairman of the association and advisor on minorities to the US President George W Bush yesterday (Mar19, 2005) night.

Patel said that Gujaratis settled in USA have decided to stand by the decision of the US administration on the visa issue.

He said, "We support the decision of the American Government on this issue." Patel pleaded with Modi to expedite the process of justice for the riot victims in the State and should help in removing whatever obstacles come in the way of giving speedy justice.

He said that Modi should try to sort out all the problems and issues as early as possible. He also pleaded with the people of Gujarat not to boycott the goods of American companies because lot of Gujaratis are also settled in America and many are in queue for getting visas to US.

Modi was scheduled to address the AAHOA in Fort Lauderada, Florida, during his five-day visit to US from March 20.