U.S. – Australia Relations

Interview with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer By Cammy Blackstone of Fox Sports News TV

San Francisco — 23 May 2007

Secretary Condoleezza Rice
AT&T Park
San Francisco, CA
May 23, 2007

Question

Well, Madame Secretary, welcome back to the Bay area.

Secretary Rice

Well, thanks. It's great to be back.

Question

I have something for you. It's the only hardball I'm going to give you during our brief chat. (Laughter.) It's from Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow up in the booth.

Secretary Rice

Well, hello to Duane and Mike. Thanks for the ball.

Question

Now, are you excited about being here at AT&T Park?

Secretary Rice

I'm very excited. This park was built just about the time I left and I attended one exhibition game here, so it's great to finally be back here for a regular season game.

Question

Now, I know you're a big football fan and they were bandying your name about for football commissioner. Ever thought about maybe baseball commissioner?

Secretary Rice

Oh, I think I might have to fight the President for that one. You know, he's a big baseball fan. But I love this sport, too. It's really fun.

Question

You know, we have the All Star game coming up here this year. Have you voted?

Secretary Rice

I've not voted.

Question

Well, I've come to your rescue.

Secretary Rice

Oh, well, thank you. I'll -- it's a secret ballot, right? So I don't have to tell my choices.

Question

And I know you've got somebody special here with you.

Secretary Rice

I do. Let me introduce him. He's the Foreign Minister of Australia.

Question

Well, welcome to the game. I hope you have a great time.

Foreign Minister Downer

Thank you. I've never been to a baseball game before so -- I follow cricket, not baseball.

Secretary Rice

He's a big cricket fan and so he promised never to take me to a cricket game though, even though I brought him to a baseball game.

Foreign Minister Downer

It's great. It's fantastic. Very exciting.

Question

Well, the food's better here, I would imagine.

Foreign Minister Downer

The food's pretty much identical. (Laughter.)

Question

Thanks so much, and enjoy the game.

Secretary Rice

Thank you. It's great to be with you. Take care.

2007/T8-3

Released on May 24, 2007

Original document from www.state.gov.

Last update: Monday, 19 November 2007 GMT+1000