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AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
WASHINGTON, APRIL 25: Harried NATO host President Bill Clinton left the briefcase carrying the nuclear bomb code behind at the summit meeting hall Saturday in his haste to greet allied leaders at the White House dinner.The aide who carries the briefcase containing all that is necessary to launch a United States nuclear strike had to walk the four city blocks back to the White House from the Reagan building where the summit was held after Clinton's motorcade left without him, White House officials said."Speaking from experience, these things happen," said spokesman Joe Lockhart, who missed the presidential plane from Northern Ireland to Moscow last year.
Aides were quick to dismiss the incident, which has happened under past presidents hurrying to pressing events. "It was just momentary," said spokesman Mike Hammer, who explained that Clinton always has an aide with the nuclear codes close by and that the requirement that he was within "the time frame factor was not an issue." Clinton hosted the biggestcontingent of foreign leaders in US history with his 50th NATO birthday bash for 44 heads of state and government. Some 900 guests gathered in tents on the mansion's sweeping South lawn, where they were serenaded by opera stars.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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