Ethiopian Head of State, Lieutenant-Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam visited Hungary (3 December), to discuss bi-lateral relations and African political issues with Hungarian officials. It was the fourth stop in his East European tour which has taken him to the Soviet Union, East Germany and Czechoslovakia.

SYNOPSIS: Colonel Mengistu flew in from Prague where he had issued a joint communique with Czechoslovakia, denouncing China. During his trip to East Germany he accused Peking of supplying arms to Somalia for it's war with Ethiopia.

Hungarian President, Pal Losoncz??? greeted Mengistu and his party at Budapest airport. Government officials and diplomats were also present to welcome the Ethiopians.

Thousands of Budapest workers assembled at the airport - many of them were waving Hungarian and Ethiopian flags. Colonel Mengistu received a bouquet of flowers from a child.

After the airport reception the Ethiopian and Hungarian delegations headed for the Hungarian parliament. Talks between the two countries were described as cordial and friendly. They discussed the political situations in both countries and talked about developing economic co-operation. Colonel Mengistu will visit Yugoslavia, Rumania and Poland on the final leg of his East European Tour.