[jess]

From Radio NZ news:

New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, has confirmed she will meet United States President George Bush when she visits Washington later this month. Miss Clark says she won't be discussing the situation in Iraq, but countering Iran's nuclear programme will be high on the agenda. The talks will also involve security in North Korea and the Asia-Pacific region.

Helen Clark says that while New Zealand doesn't command annual appearances at the White House, there is important dialogue between the two countries. She previously visited five years ago.

Miss Clark will also visit Chicago and Seattle to promote New Zealand's science, technology, education and tourism links with the US. The Prime Minister will leave for the United States on 19 March.

(Dunno why they called her "Miss" Clark?) :confused:

[Nathan]

Tell 'er if she's disgusted with the company in DC she can come stay with us. We have an extra bed and can round up some friends for a little party in her honor!

[Trigirl]

(Dunno why they called her "Miss" Clark?) :confused:


I assume its because Clark is her maiden name?

[wiki]

(Dunno why they called her "Miss" Clark?) :confused:


*digs out relevant chapter in old biography*

When she married her husband - Peter Davis - Helen was apparently quite anti-marriage but it was just before she got selected as a Labour nominee for the first time and it was suggested to her that she'd have a better chance of getting the candidacy as a married woman than a single lady. (that was back in the late 70s or early 80s I think from memory)

She kept her maiden name to stick a finger or two back at the Labour grandees.

[jess]

I assume its because Clark is her maiden name?

I guess you're right. I thought they'd say Ms. Clark, since Miss usually means unmarried (at least from what I'm used to in U.S. news). But stuff.co.nz calls her Miss as well.

...ahh just looked on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss) and saw that British children often call their teachers Miss even if they're married. :o That happens sometimes in the U.S., particularly the south, but I think the newspapers in the states would refer to a married woman using her maiden name as Ms.

Anyway, as long as I didn't miss (no pun intended) a big story about Helen's divorce. :p