US diplomat apologises for remarks on radio anklets

Hyderabad, Feb 1 (PTI) An American diplomat heretendered an apology today for her controversial remarks overthe radio anklets attached on Indian students of theCalifornia-based Tri-Valley University which was closed downby US authorities for alleged visa fraud.

Juliet Wurr, public affairs officer of the USConsulate here, apologised for the remarks that the radioanklets look "trendy".

Her remarks that the radio anklets look "trendy"triggered a controversy with the Ministry of External Affairslodging a protest over it.

She said she gave interviews to some TV channels todayduring which she actually tried to describe the anklemonitors.

"At the end of that interview, I was asked a questionabout the ankle monitors that some of the students have beenasked to wear and I tried to describe what they looked like.

"But what I did not do was really respond to the senseof shame, pain and confusion that people must have felt whenthey were asked to wear those anklets. For that I deeplyapologise.

"Because I would never want to insult or hurt thefeelings of any Indian and particularly of young people whoare going through a very trying time now with this situation.

I forgot about the feelings behind that and I think peopleresponded when I did not mention that," she said tonight.

"We welcome Indian students in the United States. Iknow from personal experience how much I learnt the first timeI met an Indian student when I was in undergraduate.

"Indian students bring great talent, brilliance, hardwork and interest in our culture and we welcome them with openarms. We want them to have the best educational experiencesthat they can," he said.