Rastafarians, among other groups, lined the streets leading from the Norman Manley International Airport to The Pegasus to get a glimpse of Mozambique's President Samora Moises Machel. He was greeted with a 21 gun salute from the First Battalion, Jamaica Regiment.

Published Saturday, October 8, 1977

MACHEL GETS WARM WELCOME

FLAG-WAVING CROWDS CHEER PRESIDENT

Gleaner Political Reporter

GUNS BOOMED in salute, a G flag-waving crowd cheered, the governor-general, the Most Hon Florizel Glasspole, extended an arm of welcome, and Prime Minister Michael Manley embraced the president warmly.

That was how Jamaica welcomed Mozambique's President Samora Moises Machel as he landed at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday afternoon on his state visit to this island.

President Machel responded enthusiastically to the welcome accorded him by the Jamaican leaders and spoke animatedly (in Portuguese) to the governor-general, to Prime Minister Manley, whose hand he clasped tightly in his right hand at one stage, to ministers of government, opposition representatives and the diplomatic corps.

The white and dark green DC-8 Mozambique aircraft which brought the President, landed at 3 p.m. President Machel was greeted briefly aboard by Jamaica's Acting Chief of Protocol, Mr Donald Davidson.

As the distinguished visitor, nattily dressed in a brown suit, tan shirt and dark brown tie, emerged from the aircraft, a 21 gun salute was fired by a gun party from the First Battalion, Jamaica Regiment.

At the foot of the aircraft ramp, President Machel was greeted by the governor general, who introduced him to Prime Minister Manley and presented him to Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, Major General Rudolph Green, and Police Commissioner Desmond Campbell.

President Machel, escorted by the acting Chief of protocol, inspected a guard of honour mounted by the First Battalion at the centre of the welcoming area.

With a sprightly step, he inspected the guard of honour, commanded by Major Ian Robinson, then stood on the dais and took the salute.

As President Machel took the salute, the band of the First Battalion played Mozambique's national anthem.

President Machel was then escorted from the dais by Prime Minister Manley to the waiting line of members of the Cabinet. ministers of state, the representatives of the Opposition, Mr Ossie Harding (who deputized for Opposition Leader Mr Edward Seaga); President of the Senate,  Hon Charles Sinclair; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Ripton Macpherson; Chief Justice Kenneth Smith;President of the Court of Appeal, . Leacroft Robinson; the president of the Jamaica Council of Churches, the Rev. Sam Reid; Mayor of Kingston. His Worship Councillor George Mason; Mr Don Brice and Mr Frank Francis, permanent secretaries in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Manley introduced President Machel to each official and proceeded to the line of diplomats, who waited to extend their welcome to the distinguished visitor.

Smiling

Following this, President Machel then introduced members of his entourage to the GovernorGeneral and Prime Minister Manley.

The formal introductions having been concluded, a smiling President Machel clasped Mr Manley's hand in his right hand and spoke rapidly in Portuguese as they walked across the tarmac. The interpreter, Miss Leith Brown, translated, but it seemed that that was hardly necessary as the two political leaders exchanged smiles and understanding nods.

Mr Manley, President Machel and members of the official party then accompanied the governor general to a waiting JDF helicopter, after which the prime Minister and the president proceeded to the official car which took President Machel to The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, where the president is staying.

At the entrance to the airport and at many points along the route to the hotel, flag-waving crowds of schoolchildren and adults chanted welcome to The President.

Just outside the airport entrance, members of the Mystic Revelations of Rastafari band beat drums, sang and waved flags in welcome. At the Harbour View roundabout, near the Shell Company at Rock Fort, at the Windward Road School, at the junction of Mountain View Avenue and Windward Road, and all along Mountain View Avenue up to Excelsior High School, crowds of schoolchildren and older folkswaved Jamaican and Mozambique flags as President Machel was driven past.

The motorcade went along the Palisadoes Road, Windward Road, Mountain View Avenue, Seaview Avenue, Lady Musgrave Road, Trafalgar Road, Knutsford Boulevard to the hotel.

At The Pegasus hotel, a red carpet was rolled out and President Machel was warmly welcomed by the general manager, Mr Anthony Vanzantwijk.

Last night, President Machel was a special guest at a private dinner, hosted by Prime Minister and Mrs Manley at Jamaica House. It was also an occasion for informal discussions.

Later, he was guest of honour at a state reception at Jamaica House.

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