Letters to the Editor - The Hindu - October 14, 2004 - US Ambassador's letter to the Assam Chief Minister.

US Ambassador to India, Honorable David C. Mulford offers a word of readiness to provide FBI's services to the terrorism inflicted state of Assam directly to the Assam Chief Minister Mr. Tarun Gogoi. Of course he must have made the offer through the Foreign Ministry of the Central Government in New Delhi. Immediately, all hell broke loose with every leading newspaper and magazine making demands that ranged from declaring the Ambassador to be persona non grata to tendering of apologies by the US Government. I honestly did not think that the Ambassador had any mala fide intent, when he made the offer. Hence wrote this letter to The Hindu.

Published in The Hindu, National Edition, dated October 14, 2004.

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Sir, — The U.S. Ambassador, David C. Mulford's direct offer of help to the Assam Chief Minister in providing the services of the FBI to investigate the terrorist attacks was made with bona fide intent. The ambassador's crossing of the diplomatic Rubicon may be a faux pas at best. Spewing scorn on the U.S. for a minor gaffe does not augur well for bilateral relations.

Rex S. Arul,
Smyrna, Georgia

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http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/14/stories/2004101403601004.htm