SYDNEY, January 8: Australian Prime Minister John Howard has decided not to give the Spice Girls what they really, really want - a meeting with him before the cameras.According to reports here on Thursday, Howard rejected repeated requests from the British pop group's management to meet the five, reportedly saying such a meeting would be ``inappropriate''.The Spice Girls' management had been trying to arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister, while the group is in Australia this week to promote their new movie, The Herald Sun newspaper reported.But the Prime Minister, who is holidaying with his family on the New South Wales north coast, refused to interrupt his holiday and follow the lead of people such as Britain's Princes Charles and South African President Nelson Mandela. Both met the girls during their recent visit to South Africa.Howard's Conservative colleague, Victoria state Premier Jeff Kennett, who himself is scheduled to meet the Spice Girls on Sunday, defended Howard's snub.NeitherPrince Charles nor Mandela had to break up their holidays to meet the group, and it should not be expected of Howard, he said. ``If he breaks into his holidays, he will never get a break.''
