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SV: Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez down aircraft steps and greeted by Qatari ruler Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad all-Thani (2 shots)
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MV: both leaders walking across tarmac and taking salute. (4 shots)
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CU: flags PAN DOWN TO SVs Perez inspecting guard of honour. (3 shots)
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MV: both leaders walking to airport terminal.
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Initials RH/DE/DE/1510



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: The President of Venezuela, Carlos Andres Perez, has been in Doha, Qatar on the first leg of a Middle East tour aimed at ending a conflict on oil prices between major oil exporting countries. He arrived there on Thursday (21 April) for official talks which also included oil producers' aid to developing nations.

SYNOPSIS: President Perez was greeted at the airport by the Qatari ruler, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad all-Thani, and the two men later had several rounds of talks.

The prices dispute among the 13 member states of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, began in December last year. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, of which Qatar is a member, decided to impose a fixed five percent oil price increase, instead of the 10 percent increase agreed on by the other 11 members. This led to a two-tier price system -- the first in OPEC's 17-year history. President Perez has warned OPEC members that they would all suffer if their unity was shattered by the conflict.

After his talks in Doha, President perez was given official support by Qatar for further negotiations with the other five members of the United Arab Emirates. An official spokesman also said the two leaders had discussed bilateral co-operation in economic, industrial, oil, technological and agricultural fields, but he declined to give further details. President Perez's itinerary includes Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and all the U.A.E. members.