The shroud of secrecy surrounding Barack Obama's visit to the national capital has been lifted ever so slightly with confirmation today the US President will visit the Australian War Memorial next Thursday.
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ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell has confirmed the Government has made a declaration under the Major Events Security Act 2000 to give ACT Policing additional powers for Mr Obama's visit to the memorial on November 17.
The declaration covers the period between 6am and noon and allows ACT police extra powers to screen people for prohibited items and enforce restricted areas.
It's the first sliver of information about Mr Obama's November 16 and 17 visit other than that he's to arrive in Canberra on the Wednesday before addressing Federal Parliament and visiting Darwin later on the Thursday.
US Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich said yesterday that Mr Obama's schedule was looking more business than pleasure. Speaking from his office at the US Embassy, Mr Bleich said that in a perfect world, he'd take Mr Obama to the Yarralumla Turkish Halal Pide House, Italian and Sons or Brodburger, but there wasn't enough time. Also, the President's security requirements weren't particularly restaurant-friendly.
''I think [Mr Obama] has discovered that going to a burger place ends up being a little bit more difficult than the typical drive-through experience,'' Mr Bleich said.
The Ambassador, who is a long-time friend of the President, said Mr Obama should feel right at home in the national capital.
''I think he'll find that it's like Washington DC but with better weather this time of year and no political enemies.''
Mr Bleich has met with Prime Minister Julia Gillard over the arrangements and it is understood there is a meeting today at the White House to review the schedule.
Mr Bleich said overseeing a Presidential trip was one of his biggest jobs.
''The President brings a lot of luggage,'' he said.''Effectively, he has to bring a version of the White House with him. He has to have all the resources that he would need if he were sitting in the Oval Office.''
This includes advisers, equipment, security and telecommunications as well as hotel and transport arrangements for all the staff. ''The devil's always in the detail. We're spending a lot of time with the devil right now,'' he said.
Mr Bleich said that the President did not have any special requests, despite joking that there was a rider of peanut butter and Mexican food.
''This President in particular doesn't like to interfere with other people's daily routines. He tries to make sure that even if there's going to be a big footprint with his travelling party, at least when he's moving through things, he's not forcing you to move a lot of furniture.''
This is the third time Mr Obama has attempted a trip to Australia after he was forced to postpone visits planned for March and June last year to deal with domestic issues. Despite the no-shows, Mr Bleich said Mr Obama will make it to Australia next week. ''Yes, yes he's coming.''
When pressed, Mr Bleich added a small disclaimer.
''Honestly, anything can happen when you're head of state. So you never want to say never. But the President specifically picked this time to minimise any chance that he wouldn't come.''
