Monday, Apr. 12, 1999

On the Road with Hillary and Chelsea

By By Harriet Barovick, Tam Gray, Sandra Jamison, Daniel Levy, Lina Lofaro, David Spitz, Flora Tartakovsky and Chris Taylor

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.