President of Mozambique, Samora Moises Machel, enjoyed an enthusiastic welcome from the nation's leaders. The evening activity filled as the head of state inspected a guard of honour mounted by the First Battalion, Jamaica Regiment, and was later feted at jamaica House.

Published Saturday, October 8, 1977

Machel gets warm welcome

Flag-waving crowds cheer president

Gleaner Political Reporter

GUNS BOOMED in salute, a 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 and 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 that 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 the Chief of Staff, 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, Jamaica Regiment, at the centre of the welcoming area.

With a sprightly step, he inspected the honour guard, 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 saluting 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 deputised for Opposition Leader Mr Edward Seaga; the President of the Senate, the Hon Charles Sinclair; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Ripton Macpherson; the Chief Justice, the Hon Kenneth Smith; the President of the Court of Appeal, the Hon Leacroft Robinson; the president of the Jamaica Council of Churches, the Rev Sam Reid; the 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 governor general 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 school children and adults chanted welcome to the president.

Just outside of 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 Installation at Roc 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 School, crowds of school children and older folk waved 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, the 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 the  guest of honour at a state reception at Jamaica House.

This is a production independent of The Gleaner Company (Media) Limited's newsroom. For feedback: contact the Digital Integration and Marketing Department at Newsletters@gleanerjm.com