AP govt striving to make trip memorable for Clinton

It was decided to erect welcome arches and banners all along the 25 km route from the airport to the hospital and to Hi-Tec city. The government would hire some private hoardings for a day to exhibit some specially designed cloth banners.

The meeting discussed the steps to maintain law and order in view of severalLeftist organisations threatening to take to the streets on March 24, in protest against Clinton’s tour.

These organisations were allowed to hold their meetings in the eastern part of the city, from Indira Park to Baghlingampally, as the president would be touring the western part of the city.

"We will allow the demonstrators to express their feelings against the tour, but effective steps would be taken to ensure that he does not have problems," a senior official said, after the meeting.

Meanwhile, the State Government’s efforts to offer a taste of Hyderabadi biryani to Clinton are unlikely to succeed, as he may not eat during his stay. Clinton who arrives from Jaipur at 10.30 a.m. will breakfast in the aircraft and is expected to have his dinner in Mumbai. Whether he would skip his lunch is not known, but the White House had not made any request tothe State Government in this regard.

"We have asked about it several times, but there was no answer. Probably, he will have his food either in the car or after emplaning for Mumbai at 3.15 p.m.," a senior official told ENS.

At the same, he did not rule out the possibility of a last minute request from the US team, as the President would be spending about four hours at a stretch to accommodate two programmes.

The State Government is disappointed over this, but it is a great relief from the security standpoint, since any lunch programme entails elaborate arrangements.