Premier Alan Carpenter said he was looking forward to welcoming US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice when she arrives in Perth tonight for a two-day visit.
Mr Carpenter said he was pleased that Secretary Rice had chosen to visit Western Australia and see first-hand the enormous contribution the State was making to the national economy.
“It will be an honour to welcome Secretary Rice to WA,” he said.
“Her visit is an example of the strength of the Australian-US alliance, and an acknowledgement of WA’s economic and strategic significance to the nation.
“Following the visits to Perth in recent times by the Premier of China and the President of China, Secretary Rice’s visit also highlights the increasing importance of WA on the world stage.
“I am looking forward to meeting her and making her feel welcome in Perth.”
Secretary Rice accepted an invitation from Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith to visit his hometown when they met in Washington earlier this year.
It is only the second time that a US Secretary of State has visited Perth, the first being George Schultz in 1985.
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