Joop does his part

Indonesian Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave has different ways of making APEC delegates and journalists feel welcome.

Yesterday, he greeted an arriving Mexican journalist by bursting into the Spanish song "Cucurucucu Paloma...".

The surprised journalist, obviously pleased, asked for the minister's business card, saying that he wanted to interview him.

Joop complied and then asked the journalist "You are Catholic, aren't you?"

"Yes," was the response.

"Then you must often pray 'Ave Maria'," the minister asked.

"Yes."

"Forget 'Maria'. The rest is me," he said to the laughter of those present. (jsk)