Condolezza Rice leaves Perth after whirlwind visit

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Source: Sydney Morning Herald

The world's most powerful woman kept up a hectic pace on her visit to the booming city of Perth, though the world may well have wondered what she was doing there.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in the West Australian capital late Thursday as a personal guest of Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith. Mr Smith, who had invited Dr Rice to visit his hometown at their first meeting in January this year, flew in with his new acquaintance aboard her US Air Force B737.

...After a stroll in the park with Mr Smith, some serious questions and a photo opportunity with a group of schoolboys who turned up for the occasion, Dr Rice was whisked off to board her flight, bound for New Zealand.

Mr Smith has maintained that Dr Rice's visit was unofficial - an act of courtesy that was all about hospitality. He said the visit would help to further relations between the US and Australia and put Perth in a positive light. He was not asked what could be achieved from a visit by a representative of a largely discredited US administration in the twilight of its term in office.

Read more: http://news.smh.com.au/national/rice-leaves-perth-after-whirlwind-visit-20080725-3koz.html