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US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew into Perth tonight for a two-day visit as a guest of Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith. Amid heavy security, Dr Rice's US Air Force B737 jet touched down shortly after 6.30pm (WST) at Perth International Airport, where she and Mr Smith were met by a small official party of dignitaries. Mr Smith accompanied Dr Rice on the flight from Singapore after the pair attended a meeting this week of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The visit stems from a personal invitation Mr Smith made to the world's most powerful woman in January this year. She is only the second US secretary of state to visit Perth, the other being George Shultz in 1985. Mr Smith says he wants Dr Rice to have a relaxed visit while he shows her his state's unique culture and hospitality. Watched by... [read full story]
