April 6, 1999
Web posted at: 3:15 p.m. EST (2015 GMT)

Last week Hillary Clinton concluded a 12-day tour of North Africa. The visit, she told reporters, was intended to "increase the understanding" between Americans and Arabs. To advance this message, NOTEBOOK brings you A First Lady's Guide to the Region:

TIP 1: Don't overpack
The First Lady's jet was delayed an hour due to excess cargo weight. And she brought only three press secretaries!

TIP 2: Keep the camels happy
From an official memo: "Try to keep the noise down to a minimum so that people and camels can get their rest. Camels are known to be ornery, and we would like them to get all the rest they need."

TIP 3: Loose lips ruin trips
Only a handful of White House reporters was allowed to accompany the Clinton women--and only on the condition that all private goings-on were off the record.

TIP 4: Camping's fun; CNN's better
Not far from the First Lady's desert encampment were R.V.s equipped with showers, toilets and TVs. Coca-Cola machines were also provided, courtesy of Morocco's King Hassan II.

TIP 5: Try to blend
At a banquet, Mrs. Clinton donned an ahrouy, a type of robe, and tahrouyt, an ornate shawl. Chelsea wore a more modest shepherd's robe and head wrap.

Cover Date: April 12, 1999

• The road to hell was paved with good intentions--but muddled planning. Now what?
• Now that we're in, we have to win
• As thousands of refugees pour out of Kosovo, the world confronts the awful cost of hate
• Sticking to the air, Pentagon planners are marshaling more and nastier weapons to hit Milosevic
• Zhu Rongji is ready for a cool welcome in the U.S. this week. But if he can't reform China, who can?
• Sooner than expected, the candidates have to commit to a vision for America's role in the world
• On the road with Hillary and Chelsea

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