1.
GV: Venezuelan President down steps of aircraft and greeted by Venezuelan ambassador to U.K. (2 shots)
0.26

2.
GV: security around aircraft.
0.27

3.
SV: President shaking hands with Mr. Callaghan.
0.54

4.
GV: official party walking across tarmac
1.05

5.
SV: cameramen filming
1.09

6.
SV: president into car and away. (2 shots)
1.22



Initials RH/GB/AW/1625



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez arrived in London on Sunday (21 November) for a series of vital trade talks with British Prime Minister Jim Callaghan. Heavy security surrounded the president's arrival with plain-clothed police mingling with the large crowd at Heathrow airport.

SYNOPSIS: The president's three day visit to Britain has been warmly welcomed by the country's foreign office. Foreign office spokesmen described Venezuela as "one of the best and one of the few stable social democracies" in the world. They expect President Perez and Mr. Callaghan to lay the cornerstones of a new trading deal between Britain and the oil rich South American country.

Britain has made no secret of the fact that it wants a share in Venezuela's "big leap forward" -- an ambitious government plan to convert the country form an exporter of raw materials to a producer of manufactured products. This economic mutation would end venezuela's chronic and expensive dependence on imports of finished products which for years have sapped oil revenues.

During 1975 British exports to venezuela were valued at 165 million pounds (sterling). Prime Minister Callaghan hopes to increase the value of exports over the next few years to help Britain on the road to economic recovery. Mr. Perez will also have talks with Energy Secretary Tony Benn, Trade Secretary Edmund Dell and representatives of British companies to discuss their participation in Venezuelan development projects.