PARIS, FRANCE (VISNEWS - TRAN HUU TRONG)

CU INTERIOR Glemp talking with Mauroy at Hotel Matignon
SV Glemp shakes hands with Mauroy as he leaves
CU Glemp talking (Polish speech) with newsmen, walks down steps into waiting car
SV Car leaving

Background: INTRODUCTION: The Primate of Poland, Archbishop Josef Gemp met French Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy for talks on Friday (13 November). The Primate's visit to Paris came less than a fortnight after taking part in a history-making meeting with the Polish Communist Party leader Wojciech Jaruzelski and Solidarity union head Lech Walesa. That meeting was called to discuss Poland's worsening crisis and Archbishop Glemp's arrival in Paris was regarded by observers as an attempt to draw attention to the seriousness of his country's plight.

SYNOPSIS: Poland's religious figurehead met France's second most powerful politician in the city's Matignon Palais hotel. The day before had been spent opening a new hostel for Polish students studying in Paris colleges and universities.

The two men spent several hours in informal discussion before parting with handshake that illustrated the friendliness of their meeting.

Outside, newspaper and television reporters were waiting to question the man who exerts tremendous influence in his country because of his position at the head of Poland's Catholic Church. Archbishop Glemp has continued the church's strong support for Solidarity. He has taken a particular interest in Rural Solidarity because of previous pastoral work on Poland's state farms before being named Primate by Pope John Paul last July.

Initials3 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved