Australia PM unwell, pulls out of New York speech
Sep 24, 2012, 10:13 PM
NEW YORK (AP) – Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard, citing ill health, pulled out of a speech Monday to business people in New York ahead of the gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly.
Australia’s mission to the U.N. released a statement, minutes ahead of Gillard’s scheduled address. Foreign Minister Bob Carr took her place.
The statement gave no details of Gillard’s illness. Gilllard later resumed her program, attending a meeting on gender equality with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Gillard is in New York for the U.N. annual gathering of global leaders that formally opens Tuesday.
Gillard is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Thursday.
Australia is lobbying for one of the 10 rotating, non-permanent seats on the Security Council during 2013-2014.
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