Australian Prime Minister John Howard assured Asia Pacific leaders at the start of the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) week that they would not have to parade around Sydney in tiny swimsuits and flip-flops for the official APEC photograph.
But there was much advance speculation as to what the 21 government leaders would don when they lined up for the obligatory APEC photograph in the host nation's traditional costume.
As Australia lacks a distinctive national outfit, wags had a field day making helpful suggestions about how to clothe the leaders in a manner that reflects life Down Under.
Some wanted to see them clad in men's lycra Speedo swimming trunks, sometimes known locally as "budgie smugglers," paired with the flip-flop sandals or thongs that are must-have wear for the Australian beach.
Howard quickly ruled out any such affront to the dignity of his honored guests, revealing only that the APEC outfit would be "very Australian".
"The only Australian garb I'd rule out is Speedos and thongs," Howard told commercial television. "I don't think I'd do that, that wouldn't be very diplomatic."
Howard admitted the often colorful costumes selected for APEC meetings sometimes raised the eyebrows of the leaders who had to wear them, including US President George W. Bush.
"George Bush once said to me, looking at me and me looking at him in one of the less memorable (outfits) - he said, 'Thank heavens I've just had my election.' The suggestion being that he wouldn't win very many votes being photographed in that," Howard said. (AFP)
亞太經濟合作會議週開始時，澳洲總理約翰·霍華德向亞太領袖們保證，不會安排領袖們穿著緊身泳衣泳褲與夾腳拖鞋在雪梨趴趴走，並拍下亞太經合會團體照。
但外界對於二十一國領袖一字排開留影合照時，會穿什麼樣的主辦國傳統服裝，有諸多揣測。
由於澳洲缺乏象徵國家的獨特服裝， 好事者逮到機會針對與會領袖應該穿什麼服裝才能反映澳洲特色，提出多項建議。
部份人士希望領袖們穿著萊卡布料做成的Speedo男性緊身泳褲，除了俗稱「走私鸚鵡」的緊身泳褲，還要外加在澳洲海灘必穿的平底人字拖。
霍華德立刻排除這類公然侮辱尊貴賓客的提議，但透露領袖的服裝將會「非常澳洲」。
霍華德告訴商業電視台說：「我排除掉的唯一一種澳洲特色服裝是緊身泳褲與人字拖。我想我不會選這個，因為太不符合外交禮儀。」
霍華德承認亞太經合會選擇的服裝常常太花俏，讓必須穿上這些衣服的領袖們目瞪口呆，其中包括美國總統布希。
霍華德說：「有一次，布希和我身著不太稱頭的服裝，相互對看─然後他說：『感謝老天，還好選戰已過了』。意思是說，如果他穿著這身衣服拍照，他不可能贏得那麼多選票。」
（法新社╱翻譯：林亞蒂）
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