Shanker gets frisked in Kabul

Thom Shanker, Washington Correspondent for the New York Times, relates three tales of his recent blast through Djibouti, Afghanistan, Iraq and Bahrain on the trail of US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates,

Outside the palace walls, correspondents went through metal detectors, and had their backpacks searched — that’s routine. But heavily armed security guards also ordered the reporters to empty their pockets onto the ground, and each item was inspected by hand. Tape recorders and cell phones were switched on and off to make sure they were real. Wallets were opened. Key-chains jangled Even ink pens were tested on note pads to make sure they were not a camouflaged detonator — or something. link