Apec leaders pose in ponchos on last day

By AUDREY YOUNG in Santiago

United States President George W. Bush got the wrong name, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was distracted by nude art and Australian Prime Minister John Howard stopped for a talk when 21 Apec leaders arrived one by one at the Presidential Palace of the Chilean leader early this morning for their official photo in traditional woven ponchos at the last day of talks.

"Carlos!" Mr Bush warmly greeted President Ricardo Lagos, who did not miss a beat.

As the pair walked together, Mr Bush pushed him forward in a conspicuously good humoured display of blokish affection. Perhaps it was meant as an over-correction by Mr Bush for his heavy-handed intervention the previous night when he physically dragged his security man through a blockade of Chile officials.

Mr Koizumi, the playboy Prime Minister, bounced in, the only leader to notice and point to the unusual collection of modern sculpture along one wall of the courtyard.

The one that took his eye was a platform of three bonsai naked men - painted red, white and blue - with large appendages.

For a second it looked as though security had been breached and a bewildered sightseer had wandered in off the street. It was, in fact, Paul Martin, the newish Canadian Prime Minister - Mr Lagos was delayed in reaching him at the entrance.

Australia's Prime Minister John Howard, a very proper and mannerly person, thanked Mr Lagos for the dinner and entertainment the night before (not meaning Mr Bush).

As they headed down the red carpet towards their colleagues, Mr Howard was so engrossed in the conversation he stopped to continue it.

Peru's Prime Minister, Alejandro Toledo walked in hanging on to his wife's hand, a Belgian anthropolgist.

Prime Minister Helen Clark walked in clutching her briefcase and again receiving an affectionate two-kiss from her good friend, Ricardo.