Security screening of former President Kalam at New York airport

[Galaxy]

Security screening of former President Kalam at New York airport

November 13, 2011

In response to a question on a report in a national daily the Official Spokesperson said,

" Former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who is a regular visitor to USA, was to return home on September 29 by an Air India flight from New York. 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.

After former President Kalam had entered the aircraft, US Transport Security Agency (TSA) agents requested Air India staff for President Kalam's jacket and shoes, reportedly as these had not been checked according to the prescribed procedure during the private screening. Air India staff then sought former the consent of former President Kalam, who had by then removed his jacket and shoes and settled in his seat, to hand over the jacket and the shoes to TSA authorities. These personal belongings of former President Kalam were returned shortly thereafter.

MEA had immediately lodged a protest over this incident with the US side. The US Government has promptly written to former President Kalam express its deep regret over the incident and has assured us that it is taking corrective steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future. The two governments are also planning to hold discussions to explore appropriate mechanisms for facilitating airport procedures for dignitaries, in accordance with national regulations."


New Delhi
November 13, 2011

MEA - Ministry of External Affairs

 

[Galaxy]

Former President Kalam's shoes were asked by US security officers even after he had settled down in Air India aircraft

Abdul Kalam frisked again in NY as security measure | Deccan Chronicle

 

[Galaxy]

US 'sorry' for frisking of India ex-leader Abdul Kalam

13 November 2011

The United States has apologised after former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam was frisked at a New York airport.

The government in Delhi complained after the 80-year-old was frisked on board the aircraft, and had his jacket and shoes briefly taken away.

India has complained in the past about its treatment of dignitaries by US air staff - including a previous incident involving Mr Kalam in 2009.

Protocol exempts former presidents and other dignitaries from such searches.

The incident happened after Mr Kalam had taken his seat on board the Air India flight at JFK airport on 29 September.

Security staff forced the crew to open the plane door, and then took away Mr Kalam's jacket and boots because they had not done the necessary checks before boarding, the Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted sources as saying.

"The United States government extended its apology that appropriate procedures for expedited screening of dignitaries had not been followed," a statement from the US embassy in Delhi said.

"We deeply regret the inconvenience that resulted for him," it added.

Mr Kalam, president from 2002 to 2007, received an apology from America's Continental Airlines in 2009 after he was frisked before he boarded a flight to the US.

India demanded an apology last December after its ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, was pulled from an airport security line and frisked by a security agent in Mississippi - even after her diplomatic status had been revealed.

Some reports said Ms Shankar, who was on her way from a conference, was singled out because she was wearing a sari.

BBC News - US 'sorry' for frisking of India ex-leader Abdul Kalam

 

[The Messiah]

The bastards always apologize but then repeat it again.

Like they asked person with diplomatic passport to remove turban.

Only way to solve this is to make usa govt people have a dose of our desi search.

 

[SHASH2K2]

Best option to give a befitting reply to this incidence is to stop an american delegation for whole day at the airport and then give a nice body frisking , seize their personal belongings and then issue an apology and hand it over personally to them .