sari-dress Ambassador of India receives airport strip search
JACKSON, Miss. – The Indian sari-clad ambassador was withdrawn from the program for the airport security line and patted down by TSA representative of Mississippi after attending a conference, was one of State's Office, called unhappy. "
Practical application last week, also embarrassed the university officials are invited to Meera Shankar, Indian Ambassador to the United States, in order speech on international studies program.
"It was a great program, maybe the best I have had, (but) this is a silly incident ruined the whole thing. He said," I will never come back here, "said Janos Radvanyi Chair, Mississippi State University in international studies department." We'll send him a letter of apology ".
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But the Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman said the diplomats are not exempt from searches, and Shankar "was screened in accordance with TSA's security policies and procedures."
What happened to the Shankar reflects the strong emotions surrounding the TSA's pat-down procedures, and raises questions about the proper treatment of diplomats and foreign tourists on a variety of styles of dress.
Officials of the Indian Embassy in Washington declined to discuss what happened.
Radvanyi, Mississippi State trainer said Shankar, 60, spoke about the university program last Friday.
Jackson police could Shankar Jackson-Evers International Airport on Saturday, a flight from Baltimore, Radvanyi said, and he was taken to the VIP waiting room.
Airport police officer announced that Shankar was ambassador, but he was later pulled the safety line and patted down the woman in the TSA agent, Randvanyi said.
The Clarion-Ledger newspaper quoted witnesses as saying Jackson Shankar told he had been emphasized screening because of her dress. He had a Sari, the curtains throughout the body and worn many Indians.
TSA has come under fire for new security measures including body scanners, and pat-downs, critics say that interfere with the privacy of airline passengers.
TSA spokesman Nicholas Kimball said there are several factors that may quickly pat-down, like a big clothes, but he said, the agency does not normally deal with specific cases. Passengers at some airports are invited to visit body scan, but the Jackson airport does not have them yet.
Shankar is a career diplomat who has served as ambassador to India since April 2009. Among his previously had served as ambassador to Germany.
India's relations with the United States have been cool at times – in part because of U.S. relations with India's traditional rival, Pakistan. However, relations between the two nations have grown closer in recent years.
Radvanyi said it took weeks to organize Shankar talk about the program, but he is worried he will not return and that his treatment at the airport may be preventing other international guests from entering.
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Shankar also met with Mississippi state officials during their trip.
Radvanyi said at least one official of the Mississippi Development Authority, the state's economic agency saw the search, which was reportedly taken to an interpreter or a room through the transparent walls.
Kimball said someone requests a private screening room taken to the invisible audience. It is not clear if Shankar asked for a private search.
"Mississippi has always had good relations with the Government of India and we hope that this unfortunate incident does not affect perceptions of the Indian authorities in Mississippi," MDA spokeswoman Melissa Medley said in a statement.
Spokesman for Gov. Haley Barbour said the federal authorities are aware of the situation and it is up to them to deal with it.
Kimball said, less than 3 percent of passengers must not pat down.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This Material May Not Be Published, broadcast, rewrite or redistributed.
More Source:
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