Journalists barred from Al Gore's speech in India

NEW DELHI, India - Former Vice President Al Gore spoke on U.S.-India relations on Monday, but Indian and foreign journalists were ushered out of the auditorium shortly before the speech, sponsored by an Indian weekly magazine. <br> <br> A news release for India Today, the publishing group that sponsored the ``India Today Conclave - India Tomorrow,&#39;&#39; said Gore introduced himself by saying: ``I am Al Gore, and I used to be the next president of the United States.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Gore, who taught journalism courses after his failed bid for the presidency, would not take questions from reporters outside the ballroom at the hotel where the event was held. <br> <br> The public relations team running the event said excerpts from the speech would be made available after Gore approved them. Ten hours later, when Gore was to attend a fashion show and dinner in his honor, no excerpts were available. <br> <br> Delegates who listened to the speech said it touched on economics, corruption, a book he is writing with his wife, Tipper, and improving bilateral relations between India and the United States. <br>