Sandeep Pandey said that he went through some anxious moments during a 2 hour interrogation by US Immigration at San Francisco Airport. He adds, “I must commend the understanding behavior of the US Security Personnel who gave me a patient hearing and appreciated my critique of the position of the US government.”

Sandeep Pandey is on a tour of the US speaking at about 20 cities on right to information, the impact of Coca Cola and Pepsico companies on local communities, peace processes between India and Pakistan, among other issues. Here is his story on the interrogation at SFO airport.

I spent some anxious moments at the San Francisco airport yesterday as upon my landing I was whisked away by the US security for a 2 hour thorough interrogation. It appears that one of the people protesting against my US visit by branding me as a naxalite and terrorist had informed the airport authorities of my arrival. Even while the plane was landing it was announced that there would be a passport check. Two security personnel were waiting for me. I was taken to a special security office.

First I was enquired about the purpose of my trip and then about Asha. Then I was asked about what I did during my last trip. When I mentioned that I had worked with Prof. A.H. Nayar, the Pakistani Scientist on ‘South Asia Nuclear Audit’ there were questions about Prof. Nayar and my visits to Pakistan. I had also made two visits to Iraq when my father was working for the Indian Railways and Indian Railways was constructing Railway for Iraq. My father was stationed in Baghdad in 80’s. I was asked to clarify why I opposed the Nuclear Bomb. I explained in detail about my involvement with the peace movement and our association with fellow Pakistani activists. I did not have any contact address or phone numbers except that of Sanat’s and they were quite puzzled that I had landed in the US with an itinerary of about 20 places and $40 in my pocket and did not know where I would stay in the Bay Area. The only information I had was e-mail addresses of people at various places. I explained how

Asha was a closely knit group and how my friends would be there everywhere at the airports to pick me up. After getting convinced they let me go through the immigration.

Then we arrived at the customs. My baggage was opened. There was the anti-Coca Cola agitation literature, CDs, my press clippings file and signatures from India Pakistan Peace March. They were thoroughly puzzled. I was asked at this point to come to private room for further interrogation.

A senior officer started the interrogation all over again. Just as we were finishing and I was told that I would be let out soon, the officer came across a press clipping from Manila wherein during the trip to receive Magsaysay award I had stated in a press conference that ‘US was the biggest terrorist state’. The officer asked me why I had made that statement. I told him that when I can protest against the nuclear weapons of my country and US possessing the biggest stockpile of nuclear weapons was a bigger culprit and when without providing evidence as to who was behind the Sept. 11 incidents it went and attacked Afghanistan for no reason, why could I not question the US military policy? To my pleasant surprise he said he could appreciate my position and thanked me for my cooperation in the interrogation. I was let out of the airport where Netika and friends were waiting and were now beginning to get anxious.

I must say that I went through some anxious moments and it appeared at some points in time that they may not even allow me entry in the US. I must commend the understanding behaviour of the US security personnel who gave me a patient hearing and appreciated my position against their country.

Sandeep Pandey from San Francisco, Email: ashaashram@yahoo.com

Related Links
Pakistani, Indian Peoples Peace Processes
People’s Voices Against Coke and Pepsi
Right to Information Movement Receives Legitimacy in Hardoi
Decentralization Key to South Asia Peace