Italian President Giovanni Gronchi and his wife, arrived at Lima Airport April 7 to begin an official three-day visit to Peru, his first stop on a good-will tour of South America. They were greeted by the Peruvian President, Dr. Manuel Prado, and his wife.

After welcoming formalities at the airport, the Italian President drove with his host in an open coach to the Presidential Palace. A colourful escort was provided by amounted guard and band, who afterwards paraded past in salute as the two Presidents stood on the Palace steps with their wives.

President Gronchi's tour - the first time a European Chief of State has visited Peru - is part of a economic drive to link the European Common Market with Latin American countries.

From Peru, President Gronchi went on to Argentina, where he arrived April 10 for a seven-days visit. He will then go on to Uruguay and Brazil before returning to Rome on April 19.