Queen Elizabeth opens Commonwealth summit

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Queen Elizabeth opens Commonwealth summit

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Queen Elizabeth II opened the 54-nation Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

28 October,2011 08:25 am

Leaders were greeted with a traditional indigenous cleansing ceremony at the Perth Convention Centre by elders from the Noongar Aboriginal tribe ahead of a dance performance amid tight security.The monarch said she was delighted to be in Perth for a meeting that promises to bring new vibrancy to the Commonwealth.Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to declare open this 21st meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, she added.Most Commonwealth leaders are attending, although Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pulled out without giving a reason while Britains David Cameron is arriving later Friday after attending the eurozone debt crisis talks.