the State Department's consultant

[Eubulides <autoplectic@xxxxxxxxx>]

<http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/266921_chinagates17.html>

Gates is a big draw for visiting world leaders, including China's Hu

Monday, April 17, 2006

By MIKE LEWIS
P-I REPORTER

Ralph Munro, Washington's former secretary of state, noticed the
change in the late 1980s, less than halfway into his 20 years in
office. He'd travel to China. He'd dine in Japan. Foreign dignitaries
from presidents to premiers inevitably started asking the same two
questions:

Do you know Bill Gates?
 	
Can I meet Bill Gates?

"I'd have to tell them, I'd only met him once myself," Munro said with
a chuckle. "The effect of the man is enormous."

Never will this have been more on display than this week, when Chinese
President Hu Jintao visits the Seattle area. Central to the plans of a
man who leads one of the world's most powerful countries: a Tuesday
night dinner with Gates.

Political and business leaders say the dinner is just a public
indication of a trend that's been building for the past few years.
Increasingly, the Microsoft billionaire and his palatial Medina estate
serve as an extension of the State Department. Sort of a White House
West.

Former Vice President Al Gore has stopped by. Rock star Bono
reportedly spent the night. Business leaders vie for an audience.
Warren Buffett is a buddy. American politicians work every angle and
contact for a meeting. Other rumored visits happen, but they go
unpublicized, unconfirmed.

After all, having influence means not needing to advertise it.

A chat with Gov. Christine Gregoire or Mayor Greg Nickels is nice, but
it's a flat line when it comes to international bragging rights and
photo ops.

"If you went to England and you had a chance to meet the prime
minister or the queen, you'd take the queen," Munro said. "And in
fact, Bill Gates is in that category.

"He has an international standing above virtually everyone except the
president of the United States in this country. This is not the first
time this had happened; Bill Gates has been bringing foreign leaders
here for years."

It isn't just his wealth or 65,000-square-foot digs on Lake
Washington, political consultants say, although both help. It's the
global spread of his software product, Windows, and the foundation he
runs with his wife, Melinda.

He has what both developing and established countries want.

"It is understandable in a way," said Ron Dotzauer, chief executive of
Strategies 360, a corporate communications company. "Bill Gates is
larger than life. It's an opportunity to spend time with the guru. He
doesn't have to depend on anybody. They seek him out."

In the Puget Sound region, Boeing once owned that status exclusively.
And still, presidents and foreign leaders nearly always make the
Boeing stop -- Hu is scheduled to visit the Everett plant -- but
Microsoft and Gates now are the top ticket.

Munro said Gates' desires and the goals of foreign leaders are
compatible. Through his company, Gates wants to spread the reach of
his technology. Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation he wants
to help impoverished counties provide better health care, especially
for children.

"What does the premier of another country want? What Gates has to
offer," Munro said.

Rollin Fatland, a public affairs consultant and lobbyist, said the
worldwide economy has raised the profile of internationalists like
Gates. He said there's no question the Gates estate ranks as one of
the most sought-after invitations in America.

At the very least, it is by Fatland.

"I'm still waiting for my invitation. Could you let them know I'm free?"
HU'S SCHEDULE

Chinese President Hu Jintao starts his U.S. visit Tuesday by landing
at Paine Field in Everett. On Thursday, he will meet President Bush at
the White House.

Hu will be in the Puget Sound region for about 26 hours and will
attend a state banquet at the Medina home of Microsoft Chairman Bill
Gates. He also is expected to give a policy speech before he leaves
around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The Secret Service has not released the route of his motorcade, but
drivers and others should be aware that major highways around Seattle,
Everett, Redmond and Medina could be affected. Organizers do not
expect major commute problems.

# TUESDAY:

Around 11 a.m.: Arrives at Paine Field in Everett.

Afternoon: Meets with Gov. Christine Gregoire, then tours the
Microsoft campus in Redmond.

Around 6:30 p.m.: Attends banquet in Medina.

# Wednesday:

9:50 a.m.: Tours the Boeing plant in Everett.

10:30 a.m.: Addresses Boeing employees.

Around 11 a.m.: Gives policy speech at the Future of Flight Museum in Everett.

Around 12:45 p.m.: Departs from Paine Field.