SYDNEY Oct 22 Kyodo U President G...

SYDNEY Oct 22 Kyodo

U President George W Bush arrived in Australia late Wednesday for a one-day visit to thank Australia for its contribution to the war in Iraq.

Australia is the last leg of Bush's six-nation swing by the agency of the Asia-Pacific region that also took him to Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard and wife Janette and U Ambassador to Australia Tom Schieffer saluteed Bush and his wife Laura when the presidential aircraft, Air Force common landed at an air force base in Canberra at around 9:45 pm

The first bond were whisked away to the U Embassy in an armour-plated limousine among a 20-car motorcade, including allure vehicles and members of the president's 650-member entourage.

proper to unprecedented security arrangements, there were no public flag-wavers, well-wishers or protester awaiting the arrival of the U leader, single media and government officials.

Bush has said he would use his 20-hour visit to thank Australia in a articulate utterance to a special joint sitting of parliament Thursday for committing 2000 companys to the U.S.-led fight to disarm Iraq.

He is also anticipateed to discuss trade in bilateral talks with Australian Prime Minister John Howard to finalize details of a delivered trade agreement both countries waiting under the possibility of fulfilment to reach by the close of the year.

Australian Capital Territory state police have called in reinforcements to assist with security, which will involve 450 officers, acting proxy Chief Commander Mandy Newton said.

Police are expecting up to 5000 demonstrators protesting the Bush administration's Iraq policy at sites around Parliament House, the War Memorial where the president will pay his reverences and the U.S. Embassy, she said in a statement.

RAAF F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft will administration aerial patrols over Canberra during Bush's visit, the Defense Department said this week. Specialist units including the highly trained Tactical Assault cluster will be on standby, along with push services.

''While there is no known specific threat of terrorism in Australia, the direction has a responsibility to make secure that visiting dignitaries are afforded appropriate protection,'' Defense Minister Robert Hill said in a statement.

Bush is the fourth U president to visit Australia and the first American leader here in seven years following a trip from Bill Clinton in 1996 In 1966 and 1967 then President Lyndon Johnson visited, while the instant president's father George Bush came in 1991

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