ARRIVAL OF PRESIDENT ARIF AT ORLY AIRPORT; IRAQI PRESIDENT AT ELYSEE PALACE WITH PRESIDENT DE GAULLE.




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Background: GENERAL DE GAULLE TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED A FIVE POINT PROGRAMME FOR SETTLING THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THE FRENCH LEADER OUTLINED HIS PLAN AT A DINNER IN HONOUR OF PRESIDENT ARIF OF IRAQ, WHO IS ON A FOUR DAY STATE VISIT TO FRANCE.

EARLIER TODAY PRESIDENT DE GAULLE AND PRESIDENT ARIF CONFERRED AT THE ELYSSE PALACE ON THE MIDDLE EAST SITUATION AND OTHER MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.

PRESIDENT ARIF'S STATE VISIT IS THE FIRST TO FRANCE BY AN ARAB HEAD OF STATE SINCE THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT IN JUNE LAST YEAR. IT IS THE FIRST VISIT BY AN IRAQI HEAD OF STATE TO FRANCE SINCE 1958.

PRESIDENT DE GAULLE'S FIVE POINTS FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST WERE MILITARY AND ADMINISTRATIVE EVACUATION OF ALL CAPTURED TERRITORY; UNITED NATIONS SUPERVISION OF PRECISELY DEFINED FRONTIERS; PEACEFUL AND NORMAL RELATIONS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HER NEIGHBOURS; REPATRIATION OF PRISONERS, AND FREEDOM OF SHIPPING.

THE IRAQ LEADER IS BEING ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE AND THIRTY ADVISERS. HIS VISIT TO FRANCE IS A MOVE TOWARDS CONSOLIDATING RELATIONS BETWEEN FRANCE AND ARAB NATIONS. DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE TWO LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO MAINLY CONCERN OIL AND ARMS AGREEMENTS.