Perhaps it will relieve some stress - and how! Good for you, Madame Secretary! Rice to play piano at Asian gala
AFP Wednesday, July 26, 2006 22:14 IST
KUALA LUMPUR: The best-kept secret in global diplomacy is out — US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will perform a piano recital at the annual gala of Asia’s top security meeting, diplomats and reports said.The ASEAN Regional Forum this year has a heavy agenda with conflict raging in the Middle East, a missile crisis on the Korean peninsula, and fury over Myanmar’s refusal to embrace democratic reforms.But foreign ministers from the 26-nation grouping will have some light relief at the traditional gala dinner during which the world's top diplomats put aside protocol and perform hilarious skits and musical routines.US secretaries have been particularly keen to poke fun at themselves, with Colin Powell belting out “YMCA” two years ago and Madeleine Albright donning bowler hat and tuxedo in a show-biz turn that brought the house down in 2000. Rice however — a trained pianist with a famously serious demeanour — is expected to perform a work from one of her favourite composers, who include Brahms and Shostakovich, the New Straits Times said.Diplomats based in Kuala Lumpur said they were all expecting a Rice recital, but that the delegations were anxious to keep their acts under wraps after months of planning and rehearsals.“I’m sworn to secrecy on this one,” one diplomat said. “We’re all keeping each other in suspense about this. It’s all under wraps for everyone, people don’t like to reveal their performance and it’s all a sensitive issue.”
AFP Wednesday, July 26, 2006 22:14 IST
KUALA LUMPUR: The best-kept secret in global diplomacy is out — US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will perform a piano recital at the annual gala of Asia’s top security meeting, diplomats and reports said.The ASEAN Regional Forum this year has a heavy agenda with conflict raging in the Middle East, a missile crisis on the Korean peninsula, and fury over Myanmar’s refusal to embrace democratic reforms.But foreign ministers from the 26-nation grouping will have some light relief at the traditional gala dinner during which the world's top diplomats put aside protocol and perform hilarious skits and musical routines.US secretaries have been particularly keen to poke fun at themselves, with Colin Powell belting out “YMCA” two years ago and Madeleine Albright donning bowler hat and tuxedo in a show-biz turn that brought the house down in 2000. Rice however — a trained pianist with a famously serious demeanour — is expected to perform a work from one of her favourite composers, who include Brahms and Shostakovich, the New Straits Times said.Diplomats based in Kuala Lumpur said they were all expecting a Rice recital, but that the delegations were anxious to keep their acts under wraps after months of planning and rehearsals.“I’m sworn to secrecy on this one,” one diplomat said. “We’re all keeping each other in suspense about this. It’s all under wraps for everyone, people don’t like to reveal their performance and it’s all a sensitive issue.”
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