Obama says Hawaii to host 'grass skirt' 2011 APEC summit
Posted: 15 November 2009 1302 hrs

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SINGAPORE - US President Barack Obama announced Sunday his home state of Hawaii would host the APEC summit in 2011, and teased regional leaders they would be obliged to wear loud shirts and grass skirts.

Obama told the 20 other leaders at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) talks in Singapore that he intended to continue the group's quirky custom of creating outfits for leaders that reflect the host venue's culture.

"The United States was there at the first meeting of APEC leaders on Blake Island (off Seattle), where president (Bill) Clinton began the interesting tradition of having us wear outfits picked out by the host nation," Obama said.

He said: "I look forward to seeing you all decked out in flowered shirts and grass skirts, because today I'm announcing that we are bringing this forum to my home state of Hawaii in 2011."

The annual group photo has seen leaders in a variety of costumes, from leather bomber jackets in Seattle in 1993 to calf-length silk tunics in Hanoi in 2006, and Peruvian ponchos in Lima last year.

This year, leaders including Obama, China's President Hu Jintao and Russia's Dmitry Medvedev sported linen shirts with mandarin collars, a style inspired by the blend of Chinese, Malay and Indian culture found in Singapore.

The 21-member grouping's two female leaders, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, wore V-necked blouses in red silk with elaborate embroidery and lace.

The creations were worn to a gala dinner at Singapore's waterfront on Saturday, where leaders were transported to their dinner marquee on old-fashioned trishaws. Obama missed the trishaw parade after jetting in late from Japan.

Next year's APEC summit will be in the Japanese port city of Yokohama. Russia will host the 2012 gathering in its Far East city of Vladivostok.

- AFP/ir