President Leonel Fernández will travel to Europe in January. His first stop will be Paris, where in three days he plans to meet the French President and Prime Minister, several Ministers, members of the judiciary and national parliament, and businessmen. Last weekend President Fernández revealed on the "Gordo de la Semana" television show that he would be seeking to get an unnamed French firm to invest in RD$1.6 billion project to construct a new potable water delivery system in the northeast. After France, President Fernández will go to the Vatican, where he is scheduled for an audience with Pope John Paul II on January 18th. Still unclear is whether the President’s trip will include a state visit to Italy. A European tour including Italy was originally scheduled for this past October, but was postponed because of Hurricane Georges. This will be the President’s 20th trip abroad since taking office in August 1996.
