/ 30 September 2001

BUSH ‘DISTURBED’ OVER TURBAN-DIAPER REMARK

PRESIDENT George W Bush was ”very disturbed” by remarks last week from a US lawmaker who described turbans as diapers, the White House said on Wednesday. Republican Representative John Cooksey of Louisiana reportedly told a radio network in his home state that: ”If I see someone come in that’s got a diaper on his head and a fan belt wrapped around the diaper on his head, that guy needs to be pulled over.” A Cooksey representative later told The Washington Post that his boss’ larger point — that such airline passengers should be questioned — was valid, saying ”Obviously suspicious people should be checked out.” – Sapa-AFP