[Alpine]

YOU CAN'T be too careful when you're the richest bloke on the planet - when even mild-mannered hacks can pose a threat to your security.

On his first-ever trip to Israel, Bill Gates was to address the media about the importanvce of Israel's high tech industry and announce measures to bolster R&D in this tiny Middle Eastern nation.

But, upon arrival at the David Intercontinental hotel in Tel Aviv, several hacks of the international variety found themselves banging futilely on the main doors.

"The press conference is closed, for security reasons," explained Yaacov Abramovitch, spokesman for Microsoft Israel, shrugging off all arguments about the nature and purpose of a "press" conference.

Apparently, the "security concerns" did not stretch to include any of the Israeli hacks, nor for that matter, did it include Reuters. Just all the rest of us who scribble for foreign powers.

"But the press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is completely open for coverage," he said, with a conciliatory smile. "It's at the defence ministry." Presumably the Israeli leader feels a little safer with the foreign press than Ole Billy Boy.

The INQuirer