Colin Powell Plays Singing Cowboy

H A N O I , Vietnam, July 27 -- "Out in the West Texas town of El Paso, I fell in love with a Vietnamese girl. ..."

The lyrics were a bit skewed, but the song was familiar and sowas the singer — Secretary of State Colin Powell.

"Blacker than night were the eyes of Makiko, wicked and evilwhile casting her spell. My love was deep for this Vietnamesemaiden, I was in love but in vain I could tell."

Powell had spent the previous two days in serious deliberationswith other Asia-Pacific foreign ministers at an annual meeting.

But, as has become a tradition for the gathering, the finalevening is reserved for levity — with the delegates themselvesdoing the entertaining. Two of the groups did renditions of"Yellow Submarine."

‘Powell and the Unnamed Senior Officials’

In an event closed to the press, Powell sang "El Paso"

by himself to the accompaniment of aguitarist. Then he was joined by colleagues, "Powell and theUnnamed Senior Officials."

Then a woman appeared on stage with a typical Vietnamese conicalhat. It turned out to be Makiko Tanaka, the Japanese foreignminister.

There is competition for Makiko's affection, there is a loud"pop" and Powell falls to the ground, dying. Makiko rushes to hisside and kisses him on the cheek. The assembled crowd roars itsapproval.

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The action on stage had been foretold by the song. Sort of.

"One night a wild young cowboy came in, wild as a West Texaswind. Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing with wicked Mackthe girl that I loved.

"So in anger I challenged his right for the love of thismaiden. Down went his hand for the gun that he wore. My challengewas answered in less than a heartbeat, the handsome young strangerlay dead on the floor. ..."

Preceeded by a Bigger Ham

Powell's predecessor, Madeleine Albright, looked forward tothese annual rituals.

Last year, Albright wore a bowler hat and swung a golf club in aparody of Bob Hope crooning out his signature "Thanks for theMemories" — a fitting song for her last appearance before steppingdown.