In the Ninth Ward, the delegation was greeted on Friday by about three dozen protesters who were angry about what they called Mr. Hastert's slow pace in getting to New Orleans.

But after northern Protestant paramilitaries joined the cease-fire and it held for months, the Presbyterian delegation arrived and was greeted by Judge McGuinness and one of the three Protestant members of the 166-member Parliament.

In Hassi Messaoud, an unreal atmosphere prevails as Malaysian and Turkish delegations are greeted at garden parties beneath palm trees where kebabs sizzle and drinks flow.

Each nation's delegation was greeted with warm applause as it entered the 35,000-seat stadium; predictably, the most enthusiastic response was for the Cuban delegation.

On both occasions the Russian delegation was greeted by Kim Jong-il.

After going through customs, the delegation, dressed in dark-blue Armani suits, light blue shirts and ties and Gucci shoes, was greeted by fans chanting and waving Italian flags.

On 24 March 2004, a delegation of the Ukrainian registered Cossacks was greeted at the Vatican by Pope John Paul II.

So when a large delegation of Bordeaux chateau owners was recently greeted here in the heart of Burgundy wine country for the first time, it indicated that a fundamental shift had taken place in the French wine business.

A delegation from Mogadishu, including Adan Abdullah, who is likely to be the first President of the new republic of Somalia and Somaliland, has been greeted warmly by the crowds here.