US apologizes for APJ Kalam security check

NEW DELHI: Reacting to reports about former President APJ Abdul Kalam being subjected to security check by American authorities again, the US embassy said in a statement that after the incident, its charge d’affaires Peter Burleigh had hand-delivered a letter of apology from the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) administrator to Kalam.

The embassy said it deeply regretted the “inconvenience that resulted for Kalam’’ as a result of the September 29 incident involving security screening at John F Kennedy airport in New York. “We are actively working to prevent similar incidents in the future,’’ the statement said.

“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,’’ a statement from the foreign ministry said.

It added that the two countries were planning to hold discussions to explore appropriate mechanisms for facilitating airport procedures for dignitaries, in accordance with national regulations.

After Kalam had entered the aircraft, TSA agents requested Air India staff for his jacket and shoes, reportedly as these had not been checked according to the prescribed procedure.

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. These personal belongings of Kalam were returned shortly thereafter.