- Title: United Kingdom: Commonwealth Leaders Visit St Andrews
- Date: 26th October 1997
- Summary: On October 26 Commonwealth leaders, in the UK for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference, moved to the tranquil surroundings of a Scottish seaside golfing resort to discuss the thorny problem of Nigeria. They travelled by train to St Andrews for an away-day "retreat" from the Edinburgh summit, which closes on October 27. British Prime Minister Tony Blair was one of the first to get off when the Pullman train which took them on their 50 miles (80 kilometres) journey from Edinburgh arrived at Leuchars station, four miles (7 kilometres) from St Andrews, where they joined the coaches to take them to the hotel. Blair was accompanied by his wife Cherie sporting a grey woollen coat and long dark skirt. They were followed by more than 50 world leaders. The leaders on October 26 adopted a ministerial action group report on Nigeria but officials said more remained to be discussed at St Andrews, and no details of the report have yet been disclosed. South African President Nelson Mandela -- who himself spent 27 years in jail for fighting apartheid -- is said to be deeply worried by what he sees as Nigeria's total intransigence over the release of political prisoners. After arriving in St Andrew's Mandela held talks with Blair. No details were disclosed of what the two men discussed, and it was not immediately known if they had discussed the Lockerbie question. After the discussing Blair re-affirmed his commitment to act tough with Nigeria. He told journalists the country would have to reform to stay in the Commonwealth group. Discussions were followed by various optional leisure activities including golf and tennis. Facilities at the Old Course hotel, surrounded for the event by a massive security cordon and with ambulances parked discreetly nearby, include a health spa and the exclusive use of the town's golf course - reputed to be the most famous golf course in the world. Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien took in a round of golf, while Australian Prime Minister John Howard took a stroll in the grounds.WARNING:LOCAL MUSIC LICENCES MAY APPLY.Copyright laws covering the composition, arrangement and/or performance of music differ from country to country, and even from state to state within some countries. These range from limiting the law to specific circumstances - e.g. 'performances given by professionals to a paying audience' - to total coverage that encompasses everything from a professional performance to the most amateur rendition - e.g. 'spectators at sports events'. If in doubt we recommend that either the section containing 'Music' is deleted or that the sound level is turned down and covered with commentary.
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- Location: UK SCOTLAND EDINBURGH
- Reuters ID: LDL00127D6LPR
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
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- Copyright Holder: Reuters Archive
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