The Bush-Cheney re-election campaign asked an Indian-American photographer reveal her race to obtain a security clearance, the Arizona Daily Star reported.

The Star had assigned photographer Mamta Popat to cover a rally in Tucson on July 31 to be addressed by Vice President Dick Cheney. According to the paper, its managing editor Teri Hayt was asked to disclose Popat’s race. The paper refused to do so. It said after Hayt refused, the organizer called back and said the journalist probably would be allowed to photograph the vice president.

Hayt said the request from the campaign was outrageous and she felt personally insulted. However, Danny Diaz, a spokesman for the campaign, was quoted by the daily as saying the information was necessary for security. Diaz said the information requested of staff, volunteers and participants for the event was done to ensure the safety of all those involved, including the vice president. When the paper asked if it was the practice of the White House to ask for racial information or whether Popat was singled out because of her name, Diaz repeated his answer.

Hayt declined to speculate on whether Popat was racially profiled, but said she was deeply concerned. Hayt said she wondered what they were going to do with that information.

The paper said journalists covering the president of vice president must undergo a background check and required to provide their name, date of birth and Social Security number. Hayt said it was for the first time in her 26-year career that a journalist’s race was made an issue.

According to the paper, campaign organizer Christine Walton asked for Popat’s race in telephone conversations with two other Star editors, both of whom refused to provide it.

Popat, who has been with the Star for the past six years, was unaware of the controversy. However, she said she was glad that the paper refused. She said her race shouldn’t have anything to do with her job.

(Compiled from news dispatches by M. Chooki)