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Bush's visit to Sydney expected to be stormy

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U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Sydney Tuesday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, to be held at the end of the week, and for talks on security ties with Australia.
SYDNEY, September 4 (RIA Novosti) - U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Sydney Tuesday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, to be held at the end of the week, and for talks on security ties with Australia.

Following his surprise visit to Iraq, Bush flew into Sydney airport in a high-tech $400 million Boeing 747. Two 'standard' Boeings carrying delegates and journalists accompanied the presidential plane.

The eight-day APEC forum opened in Sydney on Sunday. Leaders of the 21 member states, which include Russia, China, the United States, Japan and South Korea, will hold a summit on September 8-9. APEC countries make up around 60% of the global economy.

During his visit to Australia's largest city, the U.S. leader, whose final presidential term is due to expire in 2009, is to be accompanied by an entourage including 200 government officials, 250 secret agents, 150 national security advisors, 50 White House assistants, 15 agents with sniffer dogs, and 5 personal chefs. Also accompanying President Bush in Sydney is the U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.

Commenting on the size of the American delegation, the Australian press noted that it was three times larger than the Australian and Japanese delegations, and four times that of Russia's.

President Bush is deeply unpopular with the Australian public, and even his staunch ally Prime Minister John Howard passed up the opportunity to greet the American leader at the airport, preferring instead to attend a rugby football awards ceremony. Standing in for Howard, the deputy prime minister of Australia, Mark Vaile, met the American delegation at Sydney International Airport.

During his visit to Sydney, Bush is to stay in a US$3,700-a-night Intercontinental Hotel suite. The president's arrival has stirred up emotions amongst Australians, the majority of whom are now firmly against the Iraq war. Mass protests are planned, and local police are concerned that violence could break out during the demonstrations. The U.K.'s Daily Telegraph has reported that groups of anarchists have been distributing instructions on how to combat the police, and how to protect oneself against tear-gas.

In anticipation of trouble, central Sydney is currently lined with three-meter high steel security barriers, and shops have been closed down. Five thousand police and troops are on the beat in the city, and authorities have been clearing spaces in local detention centers in anticipation of arrests.

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