PRESIDENTIAL PALACE; DEBAT GREETED BY PRESIDENT HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY; DEBAT AT TOWN HALL; DEBAT WITH MAYOR; DEBAT RECEIVING KEYS OF CITY.




Initials JP/VS/BHH/SS



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Background: PRESIDENT MASSAMBA-DEBAT OF CONGO-BRAZZAVILL HAS JUST COMPLETED A FOUR DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE IVORY COAST AS PART OF HIS TOUR OF WEST AFRICA. THE PRESIDENT ARRIVED IN ABIDJAN LAST MONDAY (FEBRUARY 5).

THE SAME NIGHT, THE VISITING HEAD OF STATE WAS GUEST OF HONOUR AT A STATE RECEPTION BY PRESIDENT HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY OF THE IVORY COAST. AT THE RECEPTION, PRESIDENT MASSAMBA-DEBAT STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL CONTACTS, WHICH HE SAID WOULD AID THE PROGRESS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE AFRICAN PEOPLES. HE SAID THAT THE CONGO BRAZZAVILLE'S SOCIALIST IDEOLOGY SHOULD NOT PROVE AN OBSTACLE TO INTER-AFRICAN OR INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION. THE PRESIDENT SAID THE CONGO REVOLUTION HAD OPENED HIS COUNTRY'S DOORS WIDER TO AFRICA AND THE WORLD.

ON FEBRUARY 6, THE VISITING HEAD OF STATE WENT TO ABIDJAN'S TOWN HALL, WHERE HE WAS GIVEN THE KEYS OF THE CITY. HE ALSO VIEWED ECONOMIC PROJECTS IN THE IVORY COAST'S CAPITAL. PRESIDENT MASSAMBA-DEBAT LEFT THE IVORY COAST TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR LIBREVILLE IN GABON. A FINAL COMMUNIQUE SAID THAT THE CONGOLESE AND IVORY COAST HEADS OF STATE HAD EXCHANGED VIEWS ON WAYS AND MEANS OF PROMOTING THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR COUNTRIES. THEY AGREED TO CONSULT EACH OTHER WHEN NECESSARY AND ORGANISE PERIODIC MEETINGS OF LEADERS FROM BOTH COUNTRIES. THE COMMUNIQUE SAID THE TWO LEADERS AGREED THAT AFRICAN UNITY AND THE GUARANTEE OF THE FREEDOM OF THE STATES OF THE CONTINENT MUST BE BROUGHT ABOUT BY STAGES. PRESIDENT MASSAMBA-DEBAT INVITED PRESIDENT HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY TO VISIT BRAZZAVILLE. THE VISIT WAS ACCEPTED AND A DATE IS TO BE FIXED LATER.