Saturday,February 16, 2008 @20:01
US President George W. Bush arrived in Dar es Salaam today evening, for the first state visit ever by a sitting American president. His huge Airforce One touched down at 6.35 pm, with the hallmark United States of America running all the length of the plane. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush alighted from the plane at 6.45 and waved to the huge waiting crowd that waved back as ladies responded with traditional ululation. The US President and his wife, followed by the Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice walked off the Airforce One onto a red carpet.
Thereafter, President Kikwete introduced his guest to Tanzanian officials and President Bush introduced his delegation to his host. The two presidents hugged each other moment before inspecting the guard of honour, followed by similar act by their wives. They mounted the dais for the ceremonial presidential salute, the national anthems - starting with the American one, which were played as 21 guns were fired in honour of the visiting president.
The presidents then jointly inspected the guard of honour mounted by the Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces. President Bush was led to the traditional troupes arranged for him by his host and all along the visiting president felt very much at home with intermittent laughs and jokes. He shakehands and hugged some members of the dancing group who had turned up to entertain them as a token of appreciations. Both the presidents were driven from the airport on President Bush Limousine.