An Australian minister voiced embarrassment and regret Monday over an incident in which New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark was frisked for explosives by security agents at Sydney Airport.

"It was obviously an error, a bad error, it's embarrassing, we would hope this doesn't happen again," Tourism Minister Joe Hockey said of the incident, which happened late last month when Clark was transitting through Sydney on her way to visit New Zealand troops in the Middle East.

Clark revealed the episode during an interview on New Zealand radio Monday and said she believed there would have been "an uproar" if Australian Prime Minister John Howard had been similarly frisked for explosives in New Zealand.

Clark said she had been randomly selected for scanning by a hand-held wand that picks up traces of explosive on clothes and skin, even though security officials had been told who she was.

The New Zealand leader said she had not made any complaint because she understood the need for strict airport security.

"Having said that, it's most unusual to stop a head of government," she said.

Close

Today's Top News		Top International News
+China to "pay any price" for national unity ( 2003-11-23) +Poll sets records for turnout, votes ( 2003-11-24) +Fire at Moscow university kills at least 28, including Chinese ( 2003-11-24) +Analysts: Trade move is "poll ploy" ( 2003-11-24) +Georgians party as president resigns ( 2003-11-24)		+Australia red-faced after New Zealand leader frisked at Sydney airport ( 2003-11-24) +Indonesians swarm home; feared militants at large ( 2003-11-24) +New cellphone can mean same number ( 2003-11-24) +Ousted Shevardnadze would be welcome, Germany says ( 2003-11-24) +Sharon hints at unilateral moves ( 2003-11-24)