The Hindu : Front Page : Salahis met Obama, Manmohan

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Sunday, Nov 29, 2009
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Salahis met Obama, Manmohan

Washington: Michaele and Tareq Salahi, the couple who gatecrashed into the state dinner in the White House on Tuesday, came face to face with United States President Barack Obama as well as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, contrary to claims by the Secret Service that they did not endanger the VVIPs.

A White House picture posted on several U.S. websites shows the reality television star-couple, the Salahis, being greeted and shaking hands with Mr. Obama at a reception line, with Dr. Singh smiling alongside.

The Secret Service, earlier this week, had said the President was not in danger as the couple, like other guests, had gone through four layers of security checks.

An official said the couple, who attended the dinner without invitation, did meet the President in the receiving line, but the incident has led to security alarm buttons being pressed. Mr. Obama has ordered a full review of the incident.

“The Secret Service is embarrassed by the circumstances surrounding the state dinner,” director of the Secret Service Mark Sullivan said in a statement. “Although these individuals went through magnetometers and other levels of screening, they should have been prohibited from entering the event.” — PTI

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