INDIA: DELHI: PREPARATIONS FOR BILL CLINTON VISIT скачать в хорошем качестве

INDIA: DELHI: PREPARATIONS FOR BILL CLINTON VISIT

(18 Mar 2000) English/Nat XFA The Indian capital, Delhi, is being prepared for the first visit by an American President in 22 years. For the Indian public, there's fascination but also mixed feelings about the role Mr Clinton might play in regional affairs. Delhi is going to be a little greener and cleaner for a week or so. The hotel where President Clinton will be staying is being given a face lift and security is tight. The route to be taken by the presidential convoy to and from meetings in the city is being spruced up for presidential eyes. The forthcoming visit is dominating headlines in India, with articles ranging from speculation about American security gadgets to protect the President, through to reminiscing about previous Presidential visits - President Eisenhower in 1958, President Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978. For much of the Cold War, Pakistan was clearly the preferred country in Washington, partly because of the close ties India maintained with the Soviet Union. Most people feel it's been too long since an American President came to the world's largest democracy. SOUNDBITE: (English) "It's a great opportunity for India. We should make the most of it. Whether it's business, or defence, or the relations with America, we should look forward to making the best of it." SUPER CAPTION: Sandeep SOUNDBITE: (English) "My feeling is good. After a long time the President of America is coming to visit us. Definitely it's a very good feeling." SUPER CAPTION: Raveni SOUNDBITE: (English) "He should have come much much before but it's never too late." SUPER CAPTION: Rajesh India's national archives of film and photographs have put on an exhibition of U-S-India relations over the years. There's a stunning series of images, showing Presidents and their first ladies doing the kind of things that President Clinton will enjoy, such as elephant rides and visits to the Taj Mahal. Relations have moved on since the Cold War days and America has said it wants this visit to open a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries. SOUNDBITE: (English) "It reminds me so much of the history we don't take time to reflect on. I think it's also a measure of the challenge in terms of the new chapter that we hope to write as we look forward." SUPER CAPTION: Richard Celeste, U.S. Ambassador to India However, in spite of excitement surrounding his visit, some Indians are worried about America's relationship with neighbouring enemy Pakistan. SOUNDBITE: (English) "The visit itself indicates he is still towards Pakistan which is pretty wrong with the stand it's taking on our borders and internal insurgency and things - I feel it is a little wrong." SUPER CAPTION: Jyoti Many people in India still associate Bill Clinton with the Monica Lewinsky affair, although it seems largely forgotten in the United States. It inspired Indian artists, and fascinated the public. SOUNDBITE: "He's quite a nice person and everyone knows about him - he's quite a romantic person." SUPER CAPTION: Rajesh Clinton leaves for South Asia on Saturday, stopping initially in Bangladesh before spending five days in India. He concludes the trip with a brief stop in Pakistan - the first President to visit that country since 1969. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...