Apparently the islands lack wide roads, and therefore also SUVs as large as the ones commonly used in her motorcades. Neither can the airstrip accommodate her 757. It seems they are seeking to borrow larger SUVs, and U.S. Navy ships, including an aircraft carrier, are headed for the islands to assist with transportation.
The one bright spot in the possible curtailment of her tiny break is that one account has a certain handsome ex-president Birthday Boy accompanying her. That would be a refreshing change of pace!
*APPLAUSE*
This article from Stuff.co.nz provides the most detail.
The comment about John Key could mean that they are not expected to attend the entire forum, and perhaps will arrive after a few weeks at their summer rental, but again, none of this is confirmed by DOS.Rarotonga almost too small for Hillary Clinton
MICHAEL FIELD
Tiny Rarotonga is set to host great power politics and diplomatic posturing this week with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, reputedly accompanied by her husband Bill, arriving on the island to challenge growing Chinese influence in the South Pacific.
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US diplomats and security advisers have been on Rarotonga and Aitutaki to the north checking venues.
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The off-limits-to-all-but leaders’ retreat will be on Aitutaki with military aircraft from Australia and New Zealand used to fly them north.
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Diplomatic sources say the US Navy has moved several large ships, including an aircraft carrier, toward the Cook Islands to help logistics, including transport between the two islands.
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Prime Minister John Key is scheduled to attend the forum but unless he stays for the post-forum dialogue session, he will not meet the Clintons.
The US State Department has yet to confirm Clinton’s trip, and it may yet be derailed by Middle Eastern events, but locals on Rarotonga report extensive security preparations are underway.
Read more >>>>
Here are a few other articles trumpeting her expected arrival. This one is from Australia's Independent.
This one is from nzherald.co.nz. in New Zealand.Welcome to the Cook Islands, Hillary – now, can anyone lend us a motorcade?
Kathy Marks
Saturday 18 August 2012
Life usually dawdles in the Cook Islands, a cluster of coral atolls sprinkled across the South Pacific. But with Hillary Clinton due to visit later this month, the place is in a spin.
For one thing, the government doesn't have enough cars for an official motorcade.
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A team from the US embassy in Wellington was in the islands this week, scouting the facilities. Jaewynn McKay, a local official coordinating preparations for the forum, said the biggest challenge was finding a suitable place for Mrs Clinton to stay with her large entourage.
"I understand she usually travels with 90 [people], but they've had to lessen their footprint on this occasion," Mrs McKay told Associated Press. "We had to tell them we just don't have the space."
Read more >>>>
If she is attending, it would be a nice birthday present for her hubby to be able to accompany her. They have been apart for many weeks recently - actually for a month. We all love to see them together!Cook Islands prepare for Hillary Clinton visit
By Nick Perry
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Rarotonga at the end of the month. Photo / AP
The tiny Cook Islands are proving almost too small for Hillary Clinton.
The South Pacific island chain, home to just 10,000 people, is buzzing as it prepares for the expected visit of the US secretary of state, the biggest dignitary to stop by since Queen Elizabeth II nearly four decades ago. Hosting such a high-profile guest and her entourage, however, is posing problems for a government that owns just three small SUVs and is scrambling to borrow cars from residents to create a proper motorcade.
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The US Embassy in Wellington on Friday declined to confirm whether Clinton would be part of its delegation, but Cook Island officials are preparing as if she is coming.
Read more >>>>
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. PRESIDENT!!!!
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