Forget about it: Kalam on US frisking incident

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Former President A.P.J Abdul Kalam today downplayed his frisking by US security officials at New York's JFK Airport, saying it was not worth talking about.

"Forget about it. It is not worth talking about," Kalam said, while responding to a question on the sidelines of an IIMC event here.

Eighty-year-old Kalam was twice frisked at the JFK Airport by security officials who even took off his jacket and shoes to check for explosives before he was to board an Air India flight on September 29.

US authorities later apologised to Kalam for the incident after India protested the matter at the highest level. Kalam was also 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 such checks in India.

Angry Krishna continues protest

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister, S.M Krishna continued his protest against the Kalam incident.

"The US government has to take into account certain protocols when dealing with our distinguished dignitaries visiting America," a miffed Krishna told reporters.

"We have to evolve a mechanism to ensure visiting dignitaries, especially of Kalam's stature, are respected and treated fairly when they go to the US. Those looking after security aspects have to be sensitised on how to handle the situation," Krishna added.

He was speaking on the margins of a function in connection with the upcoming 11th meeting of the council of ministers of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC).

Asked if India was contemplating retaliatory action against US dignitaries, Krishna said there was no such move yet, as the US security official had already apologised to Kalam in writing and expressed deep regrets to the ministry.

US Charge d' Affairs Peter Burleigh personally delivered the letter from the US Transportation Security Administration to Kalam in New Delhi recently.