US says sorry over Kalam frisking

This is the second incident of frisking of Kalam by the American authorities

The US embassy on Sunday apologised for the frisking of former President A P J Abdul Kalam by the John F Kennedy International Airport authorities in New York on September 29,which had led to a strong Indian protest.

Kalam,who was in the US to attend a series of events,was returning home by an Air India flight when the airport authorities boarded the aircraft to frisk the former Indian President,who had already occupied his seat.

While the Air India crew protested against the US action,Kalam did not object and subjected himself to the security check,officials said.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna later asked Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao to raise the issue at the highest level in the US administration,saying it was unacceptable to India and that New Delhi might reciprocate the treatment to American dignitaries.

US authorities have explained to us that under existing US regulation,former President Abdul Kalam does not fall into the category of persons exempt from security screening. However,US authorities extended usual courtesies to him at the airport,including escort and private screening, said a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.

The two governments are also planning to hold discussions to explore appropriate mechanisms for facilitating airport procedures for dignitaries,in accordance with national regulations, the statement added.

The US government deeply regretted the incident and conveyed its utmost respect for Kalam. The United States government has the utmost respect for former Indian President Abdul Kalam. We deeply regret the inconvenience that resulted for him as a result of a Sep 29 incident involving the security screening at John F Kennedy airport in New York, the Obama administration said in its apology.

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Charge daffaires of the US Mission in India Ambassador Peter Burleigh hand-delivered a letter from the US Transportation Security Administration to Kalam. A similar letter was delivered to the Indian government too.

This is the second incident of frisking of Kalam by the American authorities. On April 21,2009,he was boarding a Continental Airways plane at the Delhi airport when he was frisked.