Shiromani Akali Dal raised a demand for a Sikh regiment in the US Army to recognize the contribution of Sikh soldiers during the World War II.
A delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) met Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central USA, Eileen O'Connor in Washington, and demanded to raise a separate Sikh regiment in the US Army to recognize the contribution of Sikh soldiers during the World War II under Dwight D Eisenhower who was the Commander of allied forces and later became the US president.
The delegation requested the US department of State to introduce Sikh history in Schools and sought cooperation in areas such as health care and cultural exchange programs.
The
delegation's visit to the United States was caught in a controversy
after a group allegedly threatened the members of the delegation,
later a complaint was registered with the police department in
Washington.
"US appreciates the contribution
of Sikhs and values for Sikh Religion and
considering the same Sikhs have been allowed to be part of the military service with
their full attire including turban and will
also forward the request of setting up
of Sikh regiment to the concerned authorities",
Eileen O' Connor said to visiting delegation.
Editor's note: Below is some information about Eileen O'Connor from www.state.gov
Eileen
O’Connor is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and
Central Asia and Senior Director of Communications and Public
Diplomacy in the office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan
and Pakistan. In those capacities, Ms. O’Connor manages strategic
communications and supports critical foreign policy goals through
approximately $220 million in public diplomacy programs that build
capacity in civil society and government institutions, counter
violent extremism, expand information access, and improve education.
She served in a similar role in Embassy Kabul from May 2011 to July
2012. Previously, Ms. O’Connor worked as an attorney specializing
in legal crisis management for high profile litigation,
investigations, and controversies both in the U.S. and abroad. Ms.
O’Connor also served as President of the International Center for
Journalists, a nonprofit that trains journalists in emerging
democracies. Prior to that, Ms. O’Connor spent 24 years as an
award-winning on-air reporter, producer, and Bureau Chief for ABC
News and CNN, covering the White House and conflicts in Bosnia,
Chechnya, Northern Ireland, Israel, Ossetia, Ingushetia and the fall
of Communism from bases in London, Moscow, Tokyo and Washington. Her
pro bono work centered on human rights issues for individuals and
various non-governmental organizations, such as the Center for
Justice and Accountability, the Women’s Refugee Commission, and
Vital Voices. Ms. O’Connor has a J.D. from Georgetown University
Law Center, a post-graduate Diploma in World Politics from the London
School of Economics, and B.S. in Business Administration from
Georgetown University. Ms. O’Connor is an adjunct faculty member at
Georgetown University Law Center, and a member of the Atlantic
Council.