Ginandjar arrives on time. He and Chuan confer, with only an interpreter and Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan, who takes notes, in the room. The main topic is East Timor. Outside, two New Zealand policemen block the front of the door. A Thai foreign ministry official waiting in the corridor laments the hectic schedule.
Today is the busiest day.
Half an hour later, the PM boards his car for the nearby Hyatt Regency hotel. In a yellow wall-papered lounge on the ground floor, Chuan arrives precisely on time to be greeted by host John Howard, Australia's prime minister. Another 25 minutes later, Chuan is out. He crosses the bustling lobby and takes refuge in a function room flanked by the Mexican delegation's suite and Russia's. Philippine President Joseph Estrada is meeting counterpart Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico, while Russian PM Vladimir Putin is hosting Vietnam premier Phan Van Khai.