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A chance to shoot the President

Amberish K Diwanji in New Delhi

The media was out in full strength. History was about to be created and no journalist wanted to miss the event, even if in the end it was all too short.

The event was the meeting between Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President of the United States William Jefferson Clinton. For the hacks armed with pens, it is the most important statement; while for those with lenses, this was another chance to shoot the president.

It was also the only event to which the "print" media was invited. The morning ceremonies at Rashtrapati Bhavan where Bill Clinton viewed a Guard of Honour and at Rajghat where the US President laid a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial were exclusively earmarked for the photographers and television crews (though a few favoured print journalists did later get in for these ceremonies).

The instruction to the Indian media was categorical: 'Entry to the venue after 0900 hours will be barred, hence ensure that you are there on time.' This, for a programme slated for 1300 hours. A four-hour wait without so much so as a by-your-leave! Ah! But time is no bar and the hours no hurdle.

The earliest journalist had come in as early as 0700 hours, in time to grab what appeared to be the premier seats right in the front. Alas, once the photographers rushed in around 1050 hours, they sat down on the green lawns right in front of the first row, thus causing much difficulty to those seated behind.

Early morning, one day after Holi that heralds spring and summer, and the weather is pleasantly cool. The sky was overcast, keeping temperatures low, making for a wonderful day. Even the weather gods are smiling upon Bill Clinton's first "full" day in India.

At the Hyderabad House venue, a handsome building with an impressive facade where summit level meetings are held, the place has been done up. The lawns have been mowed, the bushes trimmed to perfection, the walls cleaned and the boundary walls covered with a clean cream-coloured cloth (why is anybody's guess). The whole place has a spick n span look.

Journalists arriving at the venue are searched thoroughly and then ushered into a huge shamiana that has been erected for the signing ceremony and the so-called press conference. The shamiana is huge. It seats nearly 250 journalists besides 50 officials. Out in front, a podium has been built where the two heads of government are to sit to sign the 'Vision' document that is expected to usher in a new relation between the world's two largest democracies.

At 0900 hours, however, less than half the Indian press personnel have arrived, and none of the White House press corps is in place. The US press corps is accompanying the President and at this early hour, he is still not begun his programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

For the media guys, it is a time to catch up with old friends and exchange notes. The topic in the air is the gruesome massacre of 36 villagers in Kashmir. A massacre is news, a massacre on the eve of Clinton's tour of India is big news.

While the print media is enjoying the morning breeze, the TV guys are not so lucky. They have taken up positions right in front of the entrance of Hyderabad House where the dignitaries are to alight. In the highly competitive world of television journalism, the early bird gets the best place and they have arrived here really early -- hours before any of the others save the omnipresent security personnel who are literally all over the place.

By mid morning, there is some listlessness. Despite the strict instructions, some journalists are coolly walking in well after the 'deadline' and better still, some are bringing along their mobiles, which the ministry of external affairs had warned was a strict no-no.

Outside, the morning calm is broken by blazing sirens. The walls block our view, but we are informed that the US President is on his way to Rajghat -- to lay a wreath at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

A little while later and the first sign of official activity as a fleet of white Ambassador cars (the car for the Indian babus and netas ever since the 1960s) move in carrying a team of officials. Then the Prime Minister arrives but most of the journalists are not even bothered save the TV cameras that zoom in to catch his shots. After adjusting to the higher level of activity at Hyderabad House, everyone is relaxed.

Suddenly, the sirens blaze again. And the huge, stretch black limousine -- of an imposing size and stature -- carrying the world's most powerful politician, quietly arrives at 1040 hours.

Cameras zoom in even as the print media hacks rush out on to the lawns to try and catch a glimpse of the President of the United States. Even the security personnel are sufficiently awed not to push the hacks back or disrupt them.

There is silence, broken only the constant and continuous clicking of cameras going off -- hundreds of flashbulbs exploding as Bill Clinton steps out, waves and goes inside Hyderabad House. The journalists, photographers, camera crews and officials present catch their collective breath! Not to be missed is the sight of a US official carrying the 'black briefcase' (the one carries the US nuclear weapons launch codes!).

Now another long wait till the final show, broken by an offering of sandwiches and coffee. The White House press corps too has arrived, filling the shamiana and raising the decibel level considerably.

Clinton and Vajpayee have three meetings. The first is a one-on-one with officials, 45 minutes. The second is the actual one-on-one, 10 minutes. And the third is with their respective delegations, 45 minutes.

By 1230 hours, some of the members that are part of the US entourage come out. These are the Congressmen and others accompanying the US president. Journalists rush to them to get their statements/ reactions/ interviews/ quotes/ bytes/ you-name-it. However, the main US delegation is sitting across the Indian team on the negotiating table is still inside.

Twenty minutes later the Indian delegation team - the entire senior cabinet and secretaries - troops out. It includes ministers Jaswant Singh, L K Advani, George Fernandes, Yashwant Sinha, Murli Manohar Joshi, Murasoli Maran, and T R Baalu. Some of the officials are Brajesh Mishra, the Indian ambassador to the US Naresh Chandra, and foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh. They take their seats to the right of the media.

About 10 minutes later (1300 hours), the US top delegation team arrives. No one can miss Madeleine Albright (nicknamed the Iron Lady) in a bright red dress. But besides the easy to recognise Albright, the journalists are busy asking trying to match names with faces of the remaining delegate members. It is not an easy task. Besides recognising Strobe Talbott (famous for his 10 rounds of talks with Jaswant Singh), Sandy Berger and the US ambassador to India Richard Celeste (who towers above most), the rest remain unrecognised. The US team is seated on the left, the side adjoining Hyderabad House.

By now the tension is palpable. The photographers are the most nervous, jostling for space with each other and yodelling away. The print media journalists have all taken their seats, waiting impatiently.

Then, in the doorway appear first Vajpayee and then Clinton, escorted by a bevy of officials. They amble down the stairs, on to the red carpet that leads them to the shamiana, walking slowly and speaking with each other. Still photographer's explode their cameras explode once more, TV camerapersons zoom in to catch the best profiles, others crane their necks and strain their eyes. Finally, the Moment has arrived (1304 hours IST).

Taking their seats on the podium, Clinton on the left and Vajpayee on the right (for the audience), the ministry of external affairs protocol officer (who was the first Indian to meet Clinton coming down to Indian soil from Air Force One) takes the microphone.

The two top leaders go on to sign the main document that will come out of this visit, 'India-US Relations: A Vision for the 21st Century', and exchange them as once more the flash bulbs go off in a wild frenzy.

Vajpayee is the first to make the speech followed by Clinton. The US president's replies are quick and zestful, tinged with humour. Vajpayee, comparatively, is slow and guarded. The press conference is a sham. Only four questions are allowed (two from the Indians and two from the White House press corps).

As the two leaders walk off the podium and head out of the shamiana, a photographer hollers "Mr President! Mr President! Look this way please!" Clinton pauses, turns, and smiles. He gets Vajpayee to turn and both wave at the photographers for a shoot of the leaders of the world's two largest democracies standing next to each other.

The two leaders part ways, with Clinton moving towards the waiting limousine while the Indian cabinet goes into Hyderabad House. Photographers and camera crews chase Clinton, shooting snaps of him as he slowly ambles towards the car to head for the Ashoka Convention Hall for lunch.

Outside, the perennially busy India Gate roundabout is devoid of vehicles. Only policemen are present outside Hyderabad House, waiting for Clinton's entourage to move on. Sirens blazing, the 10-car motorcade moves out.

As the sirens dip into the distance, the silence is eerie. All hell breaks loose as photographers rush out to develop their pictures and camera crews dispatch their tapes. There is a roar as the pent up traffic is suddenly released onto the road. Life is back to normal!

CLINTON VISITS INDIA : The complete coverage

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