MOBUTU'S AIRCRAFT ARRIVING: GUARD OF HONOUR: BAUDOUIN AND PRINCE ALBERT GREETING HIM: MILITARY BAND: ROYAL PALACE: ROYAL CAR DRIVES INTO PALACE GROUNDS.




Initials KM/VS/DW/PS



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Background: PRESIDENT JOSEPH MOBUTU OF CONGO-KINSHASA ARRIVED IN BRUSSELS TODAY (NOVEMBER 3 ) AT THE START OF A THREE-DAY STATE VISIT TO BELGIUM.

HE WAS WELCOMED AT THE AIRPORT BY KING BAUDOUIN AND MEMBERS OF THE BELGIUM GOVERNMENT. STRICT SECURITY PRECAUTIONS WERE TAKEN FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE HEAD OF STATE OF BELGIUM'S FORMER COLONY, BUT NO INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED.

AN ANONYMOUS TELEPHONE CALL TO POLICE WARNING THAT A BOMB WOULD GO OFF WHEN PRESIDENT MOBUTU STEPPED FROM HIS AIRCRAFT PROVED TO BE A HOAX.

THE PRESIDENT HAS A FULL SCHEDULE WITH A VISIT TOMORROW (TUESDAY NOV 4) TO GHENT FOR LUNCH WITH THE GOVERNOR OF THE EASTERN PROVINCE AND HE WILL BE GUEST AT A GOVERNMENT DINNER IN THE EVENING.

HE CONTINUES HIS TOUR ON WEDNESDAY (5 NOV) WITH VISITS TO MARCHE-LES-DAMES AND NAMUR, WHERE HE WILL INSPECT THE COMMANDO TRAINING SCHOOL.

THE OFFICIAL VISIT ENDS WITH A DINNER GIVEN BY PRESIDENT MOBUTU WHO WILL LATER STAY ON FOR A FIVE-DAY PRIVATE VISIT.