US apologises for Kalam frisking incident

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The US has apologised to former President A P J Abdul Kalam who was twice subjected to frisking at New York airport by American security officials who even took his jacket and shoes to check for explosives, an incident that left India fuming. 

"We deeply regret the inconvenience that resulted for him (Kalam) as a result of the September 29 incident involving the security screening at JFK Airport in New York," a statement from the US Embassy here said, noting that it had the utmost respect for Kalam. 

80-year-old Kalam was frisked in New York on September 29 before boarding an Air India flight. 

Sources said that even after Kalam had taken his seat in the aircraft, the US security personnel forced the crew to open the door and took away the jacket and boots of the former president to check for explosives since they had forgotten to do so before his boarding. The items were later returned to Kalam. 

Outraged at the frisking incident, India today threatened retaliatory action against US dignitaries unless such 
"unacceptable" practices were stopped. 

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna spoke to Indian Ambassador to US Nirupama Rao and directed her to take up the matter in writing at the "highest level" with Washington. 

In its damage control exercise, the US came out with a written apology to Kalam and the Indian government, saying "appropriate procedure for expedited screening of dignitaries had not been followed". 

They also said that US was actively working to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. 

The US said that subsequent to the frisking incident, US Charge d' Affaires here Peter Burleigh personally hand delivered a letter from the US Transportation Security Administrator to Kalam and a similar letter was delivered to the government of India regretting the incident. 

Maintaining that it "deeply values and appreciates" the strong relationship and partnership with India, the US said, "We are confident that despite this regrettable incident, we will continue working closely with India in the many areas of our strategic partnership". 

MEA officials said Krishna has sought a detailed report from its mission on the incident which they said was 
"unacceptable". 

They further said that if this continues, there is a possibility of reciprocating as per diplomatic norms. 

Sources close to Kalam said he doesn't give much thought to such incidents and never complains about them. 

However, this time, his office informed the External Affairs ministry about the incident after he returned home. This is not the first time that Kalam has been frisked by US aviation officials. 

Kalam was frisked by officials of US airliner Continental Airlines in April, 2009 despite his name featuring in the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security's list of people exempt from security checks in India. 

A detailed report on the latest incident was prepared by Air India's Director (Security) S Mathur and sent to the Civil Aviation Ministry which in turn forwarded it to the External Affairs Ministry in October. 

"As the incident happened on American soil, I have been informed that US security agencies are investigating it. Such incidents should not happen," Civil Aviation Secretary Nasim Zaidi said. 

An External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said officials of both the countries were working on ways to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future, including preparing a common list of VIPs. 

BJP asked the government to take up the issue with the US saying this "cannot be tolerated". 

"The way former President Kalam was treated was an insult to him. Government must take it up with the US," BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters. 

Hussain said "such incidents are not happening for the first time. There are many such incidents. This cannot be tolerated."

Kalam not exempted from security screening: US 

India and the US are planning to hold talks on appropriate mechanisms for security screening of dignitaries in the backdrop of frisking of A P J Abdul Kalam at a New York airport with Washington informing New Delhi that the former President was not exempted from security checks. 

In a response to Kalam's frisking at JFK airport, official spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs said it had immediately lodged a protest over the incident after which the US wrote to the former President regretting the episode and assured Indian government that it was taking corrective steps to prevent such events. 

Noting that Kalam was a regular visitor to USA and was returning home on September 29 by an Air India flight from New York, he said US authorities have explained 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," he said. 

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, the spokesperson said. 

Air India staff then sought the consent of Kalam, who had by then removed his jacket and shoes and settled in his seat, to hand them over to TSA authorities, he said, adding these personal belongings of former President Kalam were returned shortly thereafter.