The Hindu : Front Page : Ronen Sen apologises

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Saturday, Nov 03, 2007
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Ronen Sen apologises

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: India’s Ambassador to the United States Ronen Sen on Friday offered an unconditional apology to the Rajya Sabha Privileges Committee for his “headless chickens” comment related to the nuclear deal in an interview carried by a web-based report.

The comment appeared when the monsoon session of Parliament, and members, cutting across party lines, felt outraged. Several of them issued privilege notices against him.

On Friday, Mr. Sen expressed unqualified regrets for his remarks. He said he offered no excuse for using a “colloquial expression” that offended parliamentarians.

Mr. Sen’s deposition lasted 90 minutes and he was asked to explain his comments with a number of members of the panel raising questions. He first made a statement, offering his apology, and then he was asked questions. As he had made some remarks on the former External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, a member of the House, he offered an apology for that too.

Mr. Sen appeared before the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee on October 29. The process of collecting information, summoning him, and getting him to depose has now been completed by the privilege committees of both Houses.

While the Lok Sabha committee is expected to meet on November 16 to finalise its report and make its recommendation, the Rajya Sabha panel has set November 20 as the date for its next meeting.

Members of both committees indicated that they were satisfied with Mr. Sen’s “unconditional apology” and the matter was not likely to be pressed further. “Mr. Sen represents India in the United States. By summoning him we have punished him. His apology should suffice,” a committee member told The Hindu.

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