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Powell Arrives in Manila
Friday, August 2, 2002
(10:32 PM Manila Time)
l'Agence France-Presse (AFP)

Powell is scheduled to call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Malacanang palace on Saturday morning, when the two officials are expected to discuss bilateral security cooperation.

MANILA -- AFP
US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 9:34 PM (Manila time) Friday for the last leg of an six-nation Asian tour aimed at bolstering a Washington-led coalition against international terrorism.

Powell's jet taxied to a heavily guarded Aegis private hangar at the NAIA complex where he was met by Ambassador Francis Ricciardone and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin, according to reports.

"It's a low key arrival," Air Force spokesman Maj. Restituto Padilla Jr. told INQ7.net.

Powell waved to some 70 cameramen posted about 100 feet from the tarmac. The official and his wife Alma were fetched by a limousine. A convoy of more than two dozen vehicles escorted them to an undisclosed hotel in Metro Manila.
(More: The Philippine Daily Inquirer News Source)
2002 © l'Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Dan