Clinton may join Christchurch forum

A major security operation is under way as Christchurch prepares to host a political and business forum that may feature United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Mayor Bob Parker said hosting the February 2011 US-NZ Partnership Forum was "huge news for the city".

Government security staff from both countries had already scouted locations for the fourth partnership forum, and security arrangements for venues were under way.

The venues would remain secret until just days before the event, Parker said.

Organisers said the security checks were normal, regardless of whether Clinton attended or not.

Clinton's original New Zealand trip, which did not include Christchurch, was cancelled in January because of the Haiti earthquake.

However, she told officials she wanted to include Christchurch on her next visit.

Forum organisers yesterday hoped that the visit could coincide with the 2011 event.

More than 100 American and New Zealand political, business and community leaders are expected in Christchurch from February 20 to 22 next year.

Christchurch beat Auckland in the race for hosting rights.

Parker said he had "heard a whisper" that Clinton might visit.

Christchurch already had strong links with the US as the base for the US Antarctic programme.

"This forum gives us the potential to extend these links further and there will definitely be flow-on benefits ... for all our business community, particularly our innovators and exporters," he said.

New Zealand-United States Council executive director Stephen Jacobi, who made yesterday's announcement, told The Press from Washington that there was "always a chance" Clinton could come.

If not, he hoped a "senior figure" in the Obama administration would be on the guest list instead.

US Secret Service staff would almost certainly accompany Clinton if she came to Christchurch, but there would be a high-security presence anyway, Jacobi said.

The forum would include a formal civic reception, talks and meetings.

"But it is quite a big deal for Christchurch and allows the city to showcase itself," Jacobi said.

Two forums had been held in Washington DC, and a third in Auckland.

The forums had attracted former US vice-presidents, past and present members of Congress, chief executives of large corporations and economic institute researchers.

New Zealand's delegation has included representatives from government, Telecom, Fonterra and other large companies and industries. The 2011 lineup had yet to be confirmed.

Parker said the forum would generate "income and opportunities" for the city.

Former US President Bill Clinton's visit in 1999 gave the city "global focus" for a few days, enticing many Americans to visit.

This Christchurch forum had the potential to do the same, Parker said.

"If [Hillary] Clinton was to come, it would raise the profile of the city internationally."

Parker believed the threat from terrorism was low.